Our 2024-2025 Scholars

Thanks to the generosity of donors like you, we were able to expand the number of scholarship recipients this year!

Kayla Clark — Seattle University

Kayla is driven by a profound passion for equity and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. In addition to her academic and work experience, Kayla has given back to the community, such as in creating a crowdfunding campaign for the Loveland Foundation, aiming to provide therapy for Black women and girls.

A colleague at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma praises Kayla as “extraordinarily sensitive to the needs of those in her care and seeks to create a nonjudgmental space where each individual feels heard and valued. She is truly passionate about providing whole person care.”

Carol Gijima — Washington State University Vancouver

Working in various acute inpatient psychiatric and behavioral treatment facilities in Pierce, King, and Thurston counties, Carol has gained valuable insight into the complex challenges faced by individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders. As a volunteer at a free clinic, she was a daily witness to the discrepancies in access to care among vulnerable populations.

A faculty member at WSU notes that her 10 years of clinical experience and her “passion for those who are most vulnerable,” Carol “has a strong commitment to improving access to mental healthcare for vulnerable and other populations.”

Kimberly Ha — Seattle University

Kimberly was drawn to the profession as an intern shadowing an NP at a hospital, and later as volunteer at a local clinic, translating for NP students serving Vietnamese patients. She is pursuing a DNP to “take part in destigmatizing and redefining mental health, especially within Southeast Asian immigrant communities. The ways in which marginalized individuals experience, understand, and seek treatment for illnesses, especially mental illnesses, are complex and heavily coded.”

A Seattle University faculty member participated with Kimberly on the student-led Equity and Justice Committee. She said Kimberly’s “ability to relate to people from diverse backgrounds with grace is remarkable.”

Eric Lao — University of Washington

Eric is an active volunteer. He has served as a co-lead or member of groups such as the UW School of Nursing Diversity and Awareness Group, and the Future Nurses Club. He also participated in the UW School of Nursing Honors Program, where he worked on a research project evaluating the effectiveness of a clinical mentoring program on the quality of HIV care in Tanzanian healthcare facilities.

“In both academic and clinical settings, Eric has shown himself to be a great team member,” said a UW faculty member. “This dynamic ability to switch roles is invaluable in team settings, as he can work well with others regardless of their work style.”

Alessa Lopez-Castor — Gonzaga University

With more than 20 years as an NP in addiction medicine, urgent care, and emergency medicine, Alessa brings a wealth of knowledge to the profession. She has had the opportunity to work with area behavioral health inpatient programs and provide “bridge” provider coverage. Alessa also participates on community and state panels to educate about the barriers to care that providers face on a daily basis.

“I have never worked with someone who is so driven to advocate for those patients who do not understand the healthcare system or for those who have been mistreated within our healthcare system,” said a colleague. “She sees the unjust in many cases and works diligently to go to the top to decrease the barriers to care.”

Kate Wright — Seattle University

As an LICSW in private practice and at Navos, Kate has worked primarily with individuals who are survivors of childhood relational and sexual abuse, and with birthing people across the perinatal period. She has also volunteered with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the Seattle Asylum & Forensic Evaluation Network, providing pro bono mental health evaluations for youth and adult asylum seekers.

A Seattle University faculty member praised Kate’s “ability to think through challenging ethical issues related to nursing practice,” saying she “has excelled as a student and as a future practitioner.”

Thanks to our Scholarship Committee members for reviewing applications and selecting our scholars: Elaine Walsh (Chair), Christina Chacon, Laura Frantz, and Carol Kottwitz.

Scholarship Recipients - All Years