Established in May 1996, the Dr. Eileen Ridgway Endowed Nursing Scholarship inspires leadership development by encouraging student involvement in community outreach, service, and civic efforts.
Daniela Acuna Aguirre is a junior in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. She chose to pursue her BSN at SU, “because it is a smaller program that focuses on the whole person. The transfer cohort is diverse and makes me feel like I belong and am supported by people that share similar experiences. Also, the professors and faculty are caring and make sure you feel supported.”
In her scholarship project, “Increasing Resource Access for Spanish-Speaking Houseless and/or Sex Worker Clients at Aurora Commons,” Acuna Aguirre plans to address language barriers that exist for Spanish-speaking clients by identifying the most frequently needed documents, pamphlets and resources and translating them into Spanish.
“Thanks to this scholarship I have been able to give back to my community. I'm volunteering in a homeless shelter where they need English to Spanish Medical Translation to offer better health care to homeless and sex workers at the Aurora Ave Commons,” said Acuna Aguirre.
She looks forward to receiving her BSN degree adding, “I'm an immigrant from Venezuela. I have been living in the states for 8 years. I'm going to be the first person from my family to graduate in the USA.” In her future career as a nurse, Acuna Aguirre would like to focus on Women’s Health and improving access to health care for Spanish speakers.