Providing Quality Equitable Care
Gabriela Herrera, Class of 2022
Gabriela Herrera, Class of 2022, always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Now a senior at Grand Valley about to graduate with a degree in nursing, Gabi's desire to make an impact has only grown.
Identifying as a Latina, Gabi shared how she has seen firsthand disparities for minorities within the health care system. She is striving to be a nurse who advocates for her patients when they feel their voices are not being heard.
“I believe I have a calling to help marginalized groups in the best way I can,” Gabi said. “Becoming a nurse is the only profession that I see being able to give the best of my talents in order to advocate for all of my patients to receive quality equitable care.”
Gabi found that Grand Valley’s nursing program offered the exceptional education that she was seeking. She loves taking classes on the Health Campus where her peers and mentors collaborate together in one space and learn from different health care professionals across Medical Mile.
“Being at the heart of Grand Rapids has allowed me to forge experiences and relationships that I know are a privilege in comparison to other nursing schools,” Gabi explains.
Clinical experience is also preparing Gabi for her future career. She recently completed her second medical-surgical rotation at the Spectrum Health Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center where they help transplant patients and those recovering from heart surgery. Gabi embraced the new experience and is thankful for the patients she helped.
“Being able to make a difference in the lives of our patients is what calls us to be nurses, but acting with good intentions and striving to do our best every day is what will make us amazing nurses.”
While Gabi is focusing on the impact she can make, she knows that she can’t accomplish widespread change alone. The medical community needs more nurses like Gabi who are prepared to fill the talent gap and advocate for their patients.
Recently, leaders from BHSH System and Grand Valley announced an innovative partnership with the creation of the BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan Nursing Scholar program. This partnership will create opportunities for nearly 500 additional students to pursue a career in nursing over the next six years by taking away financial barriers to college and smoothing the educational path to employment at BHSH Spectrum Health West Michigan.
“Hearing about the opportunities on the horizon for more students to enter into a career in nursing fills my heart with joy,” said Gabi. “I hope that, with these new opportunities, the amazing experiences at Grand Valley are able to reach more students on a grander scale than ever before.”
Gabi is grateful for donors who are making health care better by investing in her and students like her. Without donor support, Gabi and other students would not be able to complete the challenging nursing program.
“Thank you, donors. Due to your help, no matter where my career may lead me, my beginnings will always be grounded in honesty and leadership because of Grand Valley.”