With Their Hearts, Minds, and Souls, Students Change Health in the Community

In this program, 13 bachelor of science in nursing sophomore students work with Alameda Health System (AHS) to create a public health care safety net.

“As a Bay Area native, I’ve witnessed injustices towards the underprivileged my entire life — whether it’s because of their housing status, the color of their skin, or simply where they were born,” said Gabrielle Andaya ’26, Nurse Health Equity Scholar.

In fact, health equity and social justice is the primary reason I chose to become a nurse and prioritized USF as my top choice college. As a member of the Nurse Health Equity Scholars program, I deeply desire to change health care.”

GABRIELLE ANDAYA ’26

USF developed the Nurse Health Equity Scholars program to meet the particular needs of a particular community — and to teach USF students how to meet these needs.

Romoanetia Lofton, system chief nursing officer and Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus chief administrative officer and USF SONHP alumna, is the AHS executive sponsor of the program. “Alameda Health System is pleased to welcome USF’s Nurse Health Equity Scholars,” Lofton said. “AHS is an ideal learning environment for nursing students passionate about providing equitable, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care. Here, Nurse Health Equity Scholars will gain practical experience delivering on the AHS mission: caring, healing, teaching, and serving all.”