CVS Scholarship Allows Five Bilingual UA Nursing Students to Support Underserved Populations

Continuing a tradition that began last year, the CVS Health Foundation recently awarded $5,000 in scholarship funds to support five Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) students in the University of Arizona College of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program. The scholars were selected based on their interest in family or retail healthcare practice, their stellar academic standing, their bilingual skills and their desire to spend a portion of their time with organizations that support underserved populations.

“The CVS Health Foundation focus on supporting Family Nurse Practitioner students aligns wonderfully with the academic mission of our Doctor of Nursing Practice program,” said Clinical Associate Professor and Director of Practice Innovations, Allen Prettyman, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP. “The support from the CVS Health Foundation allows student awardees to academically shine a little brighter while providing volunteer healthcare for underserved communities now and in the future.”

Take a moment to meet this year’s CVS scholarship awardees and hear what this funding means to them:

Daniel O. Maduma: “I used to be a veterinarian, and I really wanted to get back to working with people – specifically families. That’s why I chose to pursue an FNP. While I work in a major hospital, it’s not a natural environment, so it was important to me to be somewhere that’s natural where I can interact with people living their lives. In the future, I plan to provide primary care to families in Tucson. I also want to be involved in teaching future nursing students.”

Megan Maley: “I decided to pursue an FNP because I wanted to be able to give more to patients that my current RN role does not allow. With an FNP, I can help each step of the way from diagnosing to formulating a treatment plan. Receiving the CVS scholarship means I can focus more on my studies to be more prepared for caring for patients on my own after graduation. The work I will be doing through my preceptorship involves caring for patients throughout their lifetime. I will begin working in a rural pediatric clinic this summer which I am looking forward to.”

Stephanie Marks: “I chose to pursue an FNP because I am passionate about providing quality, holistic care to persons of all ages. I feel strongly that mental, social and spiritual wellbeing are just as important as physical health. As an FNP, I am afforded the special opportunity of empowering my patients through education, medical care, and support over the course of their lifetime.  Receiving the CVS Scholarship means that I am able to dedicate more time to my studies and clinical experiences, consequently optimizing my patients’ health through innovation, collaboration, caring, integrity and accountability: values that reflect CVS Caremark’s mission. This scholarship means that the work I am doing, and plan on doing after graduation, is important to my community.”

Nila Safaeian: “The idea of being able to provide care across the lifespan appealed to me. FNPs have the unique opportunity to not only care for the health and well-being of the individual, but also for the family as a unit. Whether it be for our pediatric or geriatric patients, we have the ability to educate and empower them to take charge of their health through health maintenance and disease prevention measures. I also enjoy being able to see a variety of conditions in practice, from acute to chronic illnesses. You never know what you’re going to get, but that’s what makes it interesting. I am truly honored and grateful to receive this award. The CVS Scholarship will greatly assist me in reaching my goal of graduating in December and being one step closer to working as an FNP.”

John Sparks: In my prior career I worked in corporations for a large company. As I got older I wanted to have an impact on people around me in a more positive way, so I chose to enter the medical field so I could help people. It fits my personality a little better and I enjoy interacting with people and helping them to solve problems and 2 meet their needs, and do so by helping themselves, too, in the process. Financially, it makes a big impact. I’m an older learner, and I have 4 children and I’m married, so assistance helps me and my family meet my goals to become a DNP and also maintain financial solvency during that time.”

“The CVS Health Foundation focus on supporting Family Nurse Practitioner students aligns wonderfully with the academic mission of our Doctor of Nursing Practice program." ~ Dr. Allen Prettyman

At the UA College of Nursing, students pursuing the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty receive a broad foundation of educational preparation in advanced nursing practice with families across the lifespan. Through a variety of service and learning opportunities, all nursing students apply the knowledge and skills they’ve gained in the classroom to real-life health challenges in our communities. Proximity to the Mexican border and tribal communities offers opportunities to serve and learn about issues in health and culture. Clinical sites available in the community and surrounding rural areas include nurse-managed clinics, health maintenance organizations, Indian Health Service sites, community health centers, physician-nurse practitioner practices, mental health centers, health departments, long-term care settings, retirement centers, schools and acute care settings. Last year we were delighted to receive CVS Health Foundation Scholarship funds for two of our FNP students. These two students, both of whom are bilingual, have excelled in their academic trajectories and plan to practice in primary care.