Past Scholarship Recipients
2021-2022
Spratlen Family Scholar of Promise
Aleysha Tsegga
Aleysha was a third-year doctoral student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Seattle University at the time of her award. Through her doctoral studies, she desired to learn how to be an impactful servant leader in mental health for the Black community.
Aleysha's long-term goal is to practice within the pediatric population where impoverished communities of color struggle to find qualified mental health professionals. By using an evidence-based practice alongside holistic treatment approaches, Aleysha aims to deconstruct the psychological impact of internalized racism within her community.
Her commitment to ensuring she serves these communities stems from the shortage of Black representation in role model settings she encountered as a child. As an adult, Aleysha has experienced how powerful it can be to have Black professors, attorneys, politicians, and medical providers by your side when encountering systems of imbedded oppression. By providing an outlet to underserved children in the Black community, Aleysha hopes to make an impact on our future.
2021-2022 LPSF Scholarship Recipients
Holly Brezynski
Holly was a third-year Doctorate of Nursing student in UW’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track at the time of her award. She was maintaining a 3.96 GPA while managing her four children's schooling throughout the pandemic.
As a domestic violence survivor, Holly remembers mental health services were vital to her escape and recovery. She is passionate about removing the silence and stigma surrounding partner violence and believes her role as PMHNP will further help her empower others in this situation.
Holly’s professional goal is to work in a collaborative community behavioral health setting that supports adults living with complex mental health needs: chronic mental illness, trauma, and substance use disorders.For her doctorate nursing project, Holly is partnering with the Washington Health Care Authority & DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration's Dementia Action Collaborative (DAC) to identify gaps in the discharge planning process that can lead to higher readmission rates for those living with dementia.
Spencer Hendricks
Spencer was in his final year of Gonzaga University's Master of Science in Nursing Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program when he received his award. He hopes to bring this commitment into his future practice in mental health and his efforts to expand community mental health services.
Spencer experiences really impressed upon him that there is value and meaning in partnering with people in difficult circumstances. He is passionate about being a mental health resource and increasing access and availability of mental health resources for his community.
His short-term professional goals are to begin practicing in Walla Walla County and partner with local agencies to serve community members with mental health needs and limited access to health care services. His long-term professional goals are to expand the availability and accessibility of mental health services in Walla Walla County and to precept future advanced-practice psychiatric nursing students.
Sarah Kim
Sarah was a second-year DNP student in the University of Washington’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program when she received her award. Her goal is to build a more robust community through which patients can receive quality mental health care.
Sarah’s experiences in mental health settings across the continuum of care have given her keen insight into the systems and institutions through which care is delivered. Seeing the gaps in mental health care with patients “falling through the cracks” inspired her interest in improving and streamlining those systems.
Sarah currently works at a community mental health clinic. She constantly seeks to expand her knowledge of psychiatry and mental health practice. Her published work has focused on the opioid epidemic and sharing awareness with clinicians about substances that can cause opioid-like dependence and withdrawal, while her academic work has explored ways to improve care for adolescents in inpatient mental health settings. Her vision for mental health care involves integrating behavioral health care with primary care and increasing access for individuals in crisis through behavioral health urgent care clinics.
Solee Lim
Solee was a second-year Doctor of Nursing in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner at the University of Washington when she received her award. Over the years, she has learned that nurses can have a powerful impact not only on patients' lives but also on the lives of their families and, by extension, on the community. That is the biggest reason she pursued a Doctorate of Nursing Practice.
Solee’s passion for psychiatric nursing became a goal after working on a unit assigned to caring for patients with mental illnesses. Her time with these patients made her determined to be a part of the solution. She is convinced she has an important role in psychiatric nursing, especially when it comes to educating the Korean-American community. She is determined to provide culturally appropriate care and education on the importance of mental health.
Amber Spencer
Amber is a third-year Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program at Pacific Lutheran University.
After graduating from Johns Hopkins University in 2013, Amber began her nursing career in Baltimore, MD working in an inner-city Emergency Department. Throughout her career in the Emergency Department, she witnessed firsthand the lack of mental health resources in her community. Amber observed that inadequate mental health resources resulted in unacceptable patient care, increased healthcare disparities, and poor outcomes for patients suffering from mental illnesses. Her experience shaped her career goals — she determined the best way to serve her community was to become a psychiatric mental health provider.
Amber has a passion for the mental health of homeless youth, which drove her to develop and implement a translational research project aimed at increasing mental health service utilization, using motivational interviewing in the population of homeless youth. Amber’s long-term goals are to provide psychiatric care in an integrated community health model, where she can help reduce mental health disparities by increasing access to mental health providers.
Linda Trader
Linda was a third-year Doctoral Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner student at Pacific Lutheran University when she received her award. Linda’s interest in psychiatry and mental health developed when she was a staff RN and Charge Nurse in an emergency department in Pierce County, Washington.
While a RN and Charge Nurse, Linda identified that mental health is often a co-morbidity of those in dire need of emergent medical care and that a large percentage of this population consists of those from underserved communities who are most impacted by social determinants of health that contribute to poor health outcomes. She found that a common barrier for these individuals was difficulty accessing collaborative and integrated mental health care.
Linda’s final months of her advanced education were spent developing the future of the nursing profession through her role as a faculty nursing instructor at St. Martin’s University. She hopes to share her personal experiences as a first-generation college student and passion for helping others through mentorship, advocacy, and advancement of the professional nursing role. After graduation, her goal is to increase access to care for underserved populations.
Jeremy Bang
2020-2021 Scholarship Recipient
Jeremy is a doctoral student at Seattle University in the Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. He has worked as a welder, waiter, and restaurant manager. In each place, his ability to connect with people and hold difficult truths highlighted an empathic quality that he wanted to build on with his education. In these environments, he saw how hard it was for many to choose healthy coping skills and how many turned instead to substance use, numbing, and jaded worldviews.
Today he is a nurse on a coronavirus assessment team focused on testing people in homeless shelters and encampments. He is providing direct patient care, education about SARS-CoV-2, precepting undergraduate nursing students, and working with his supervisors to ensure the safety and sustainability of his team and their work.
It is his goal to use his life experience to connect with and better understand future clients. He wants to work with people experiencing homelessness, depression, and substance use disorders. He is particularly passionate about working with men to broaden their emotional vocabulary, normalize sensitivity and nurturing behaviors, and encourage healthy and safe relationships.
Natalie Robbins
2020-2021 Scholarship Recipient
Natalie is a Doctoral of Nursing (DNP) student enrolled in her first year in the Pacific Lutheran University Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
From a young age, Natalie learned the impact that addiction and mental illness can have on a family. She also learned that mental health and addiction are topics that most do not like to talk about but impact everyone at some point in their lives. Whether it is something they personally struggle with or something a loved one battles with daily.
As a nurse, Natalie has worked in a variety of settings, including inpatient psychiatry, inpatient substance abuse treatment, the emergency room for psychiatric stabilization, and outpatient as a psychiatric nurse care manager. She is dedicating her professional life to serving the disadvantaged and underserved.
Her educational goal is to implement a research project that improves the care coordination of the patient with serious mental illness and chronic medical conditions. With hopes of creating an educational program that will decrease stigma, decrease hospital bed days, and bridge the gap between mental health nursing and medical nursing staff.
Teresa Robinson
2020-2021 Scholarship Recipient
Teresa is a student in the Post Masters - Doctor of Nursing Practice, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program (PMHNP) at Washington State University - Tri-Cities. She graduates in the Spring of 2022.
Teresa currently works full-time as the Patient Safety Program Manager at a hospital in the Tri-Cities. She hopes to secure a job through the hospital’s Behavioral Health clinic and work with clients in the newly established clinic-based collaborative care program. Teresa’s husband is a100% disabled, retired Army Officer, and together they have a blended family with eight children. She has experienced firsthand what it is like to care for family members suffering from conditions like PTSD, depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses. It is no surprise that a long-term goal she holds is to specialize in the areas of working with Veterans or youth experiencing mental health issues.
Teresa had the opportunity to return to college after her children entered school. She obtained her BSN from WSU Tri-Cities in 2011, and it was through her BSN courses that she found a passion for psychiatric nursing. She continued her nursing career, obtaining her MSN from Gonzaga University in Health Care Administration; however, she knew that psychiatric nursing was her passion and applied for the DNP-PMHNP program in 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic has created a time of uncertainty for all. Frontline caregivers are experiencing higher rates of depression, anxiety, and insomnia. Teresa is interested in providing a program at a local hospital that will provide strategies for frontline caregivers and health care workers to counteract the stressors and challenges they experience every day. The proposal would be adapted from a trauma-informed care program and would promote a culture of safety and mindfulness exercises.
Iman Yunis
2020-2021 Scholarship Recipient
Iman is a DNP student at Seattle University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Iman’s passion for advanced psychiatric nursing was sparked after leading a community-based participatory research study investigating the perceptions of mental health and barriers to accessing mental health services among the Somali community in King County. Her study uncovered that there is a widespread negative perception of mental illness that has created a stigma around receiving mental health care.
As an advanced psychiatric nursing leader, Iman hopes to break the barriers of social stigma, limited mental health awareness, and accessibility so that underserved populations are able to access and receive equitable mental healthcare. Iman believes to advance the goals and growth of the communities she works with it must be done through fostering collaboration, providing support, and empowerment.
“As his colleagues noted, Que ‘has a way to bond therapeutically with patients.’ His skillset goes beyond one-on-one patient care.”
Que Limpanyaloet
Sarote Limpanyaloet (Que)
2019-20 Scholarship Recipient
Que is a Doctoral of Nursing (DNP) student enrolled in the University of Washington’s Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program.
His experiences while working with a diverse population struggling with substance abuse influenced his decision to become a PMHNP. His work in direct care, consultant, and supervisory roles has given him to see the complexities and challenges that patients face in today’s healthcare environment.
Que’s career goal is to continue to work with underserved patients with a focus on pregnant women with substance use and co-occurring disorders.
“Ms. Shull exemplifies the qualities that Dr. Lois Price Spratlen emphasized in caring for patients with behavioral health disorders.”
Kayla Shull
Kayla Shull
2019-20 Scholarship RecipientKayla Shull is a DNP student enrolled in Seattle University’s PMHNP program.
She believes destigmatizing mental health diagnoses should be at the forefront of any behavioral health practice and that providing holistic and compassionate care is integral to the success of treatment.
Her DNP project is to design and implement a wound care program for IV drug users at Evergreen Treatment Service, where she is currently employed. While wound care is not traditionally area of interest for PMHNP, wounds often derail treatment due to long hospital stays. Kayla believes a program headed by practitioners in a trusting environment could lower hospital admissions and increase treatment adherence.
“Tofik is highly motivated to become a PMHNP. I have no doubt that Tofik will succeed in completing his DNP and becoming licensed and certified as a PMHNP if he can financially sustain his family and his education.”
Tofik Shkrea
Tofik Shkrea
2019-20 Scholarship Recipient
Tofik is a DNP student enrolled in Washington State University’s PMHNP program.
He has witnessed first-hand the devastating toll mental illness can take on a family. This experience with mental illness inspired him to pursue a career in psychiatric nursing.
In his home country of Ethiopia, people struggling with depression and other mental health issues are ostracized. Among his long-term career goals are to work to eliminate the stigma of mental illness and to advocate for patients by addressing failures in the healthcare system.
Tofik plans to focus his practice on highly vulnerable, mentally ill individuals, such as homeless persons, drug abuse patients, and incarcerated persons in rural communities.
“Jane has an excellent understanding of how social, cultural, economic and political factors affect access to health and mental health care.”
Jane Nwankwookoye
Jane Nwankwookoye
2018-19 Scholarship Recipient
Jane is a DNP student in the University of Washington’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
She points to a particular moment which sparked her passion to help others. During an intake behavioral health assessment, a 30-year-old male patient related that his life changed when his wife left with their young son. A spiral of depression, alcohol, job loss, homelessness, and suicide attempts ensued. Jane saw the needs in her community and she responded, as an advocate, a volunteer, and a professional.
With her doctoral project, an integration of PMHNP into Behavioral Health System at Country Doctor Community Health Centers and Carolyn Downs Family Medical Center, she hopes to educate, empower and create more awareness that will help normalize mental health and reduce the shame and stigma.
“Vincent’s personal journey speaks to his abilities and determination in overcoming significant challenges. He is a dedicated student with great enthusiasm and capacity for learning.”
Vincent Otundo
Vincent Otundo
2018-19 Scholarship Recipient
Vincent is in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing DNP program at Seattle University.
His path has not been an easy one. He came to the United States right after high school. Soon afterward, his father passed away, leaving Vincent alone in a new country. Over time, he found work, went back to school, and now maintains a 3.8 grade point average.
Vincent has drawn upon his experiences in his academic work. His scholarly project focuses on the critical need for culturally-relevant mental health services for immigrant populations; a need that continues to grow in our region.
“Zion’s work exemplifies the Lois Price Spratlen Foundation mission in promoting a community of caring. Her prior and current work demonstrates her commitment and leadership in mental health.”
Zion Shekinah
2018-19 Scholarship Recipient
Zion is a student in the University of Washington’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program.
She has dedicated her life to justice and equality through global advocacy for human rights. She served as an invited speaker at the United Nations Anti-Human Trafficking Conference. She also served as a consultant for child soldier-related issues for an international committee. In addition, she worked as a Hospital Administrator in Uganda.
Zion currently works at the Downtown Emergency Service Center Inpatient Crisis Solutions Center in Seattle. She works tirelessly to connect her clients with available services. She is passionate about advocating for people and their families who are impacted by mental disorders.
Her educational goal is to implement a research project on the elevated risk of metabolic syndrome in persons taking atypical antipsychotics and how it contributes to an increase in health risks. Her goal is to create patient-centered, customizable interventions for treatment plans.
“Ebony embodies the qualities of a professional nursing leader with her vision and ability to conceptualize complex issues in psychiatric nursing. ”
Ebony Blackmon Humphrey receiving her scholarship award
Ebony Blackmon Humphrey
2017-18 Scholarship recipient
In 2017, Ebony was a student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing DNP program at Washington State University. In addition to maintaining a 3.8 GPA in her studies, Ebony worked with the Psychiatric Services Department at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle on increasing care satisfaction and reducing length of stay for patients with severe and persistent mental illness.
Ebony has more than 10 years of experience as a nurse in behavioral medicine, dedicating her professional life to serving the disadvantage and underserved.
Her plans for the future also include advocating for the profession, working with legislators to help heal our nation from mental disturbances that are impacting communities and families.
“Melanie’s project is exemplary of quality improvement research to achieve goals of secondary prevention for at-risk youth.”
Melanie Kristoferson receiving her scholarship
Melanie Kristoferson
2017-18 Scholarship recipient
In 2017, Melanie was a student in Seattle University’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. For her scholarly project, Melanie designed and implemented a crisis management plan for students in crisis at Madison Middle School. She implemented this project in partnership with NeighborCare Health. Madison reported a high incidence of 911 calls. Staff identified the need for a coordinated, patient-centered process to support these students.
Melanie’s project resulted in her making a presentation at the Annual National Conference on Advancing Mental Health. She said that participating in this conference contributed to her decision to pursue a DNP degree. She said it also helped her see how involvement in research can be accessible and exciting.
“Jenny’s passion for improving the lives and care of others is clear in her work and her interactions.”
Jenny Palisoc receiving her scholarship
Jenny Palisoc
2017-18 Scholarship recipient
In 2017, Jenny was a DNP student in the University of Washington’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program. Her graduate research project proposed to examine the effectiveness of a continuing education training program for registered nurses, designed to enhance their knowledge and skills to prepare in the assessment, treatment, and management of suicide risk.
Jenny’s accomplishments go far beyond her academic work. Jenny was a Board Member for NAMI-Washington. She also served as a volunteer nurse with the Teeth and Toes Clinic for Homeless Youth and Adults, and she was a member of the UW School of Nursing Diversity Committee. She has also volunteered with the Refugee Women’s Alliance and the King County Public Health Needle Exchange program.
“Emma’s research and the implementation of an educational intervention for school nurses has great potential to improve child mental health.”
Emma Cyders Oswald
Emma Cyders Oswald
2016-17 Scholarship recipient
In 2016, Emma was a student in the Masters of Science, Advanced Practice Nursing Immersion program at Seattle University in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner track. In addition to maintaining a 3.8 GPA in her studies, Emma worked as a floor nurse and charge nurse on an inpatient psychiatric unit at Fairfax Hospital in Kirkland.
Emma’s graduate scholarly project was a systematic review of literature on adverse childhood experiences applied to the practice of school nursing.
She also designed and delivered an in-service for school nurses of the Seattle school district to educate them about adverse childhood experiences, the effect of ACEs on school performance and health, screening tools, local resources, and interventions.
“Grace’s project exemplifies her desire to provide care to underserved and vulnerable populations, and reflects a commitment to collaborative relationships. ”
Grace Martin receiving her scholarship
Grace Martin
2016-17 Scholarship recipient
In 2016, Grace was a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner student entering her final two quarters of the program at the University of Washington’s School of Nursing.
A look at Grace’s résumé is a study in what it means to volunteer to help those in need. Grace has worked with children as a volunteer with Seattle Children’s Hospital, Union Gospel Mission’s Hope Place, Mara Farm’s Giving Garden, Spurs and Spokes Therapeutic Riding Program, Aletheia Riding Center, Camp Korey, and she also completed a study abroad program in Kenya.
Grace’s capstone project involved partnering with Spruce Street Inn, a safe house for runaway youths.