“Duke Believes in Me”: Andrea Ramirez Martinez on Finding Community, Making a Difference

Duke University School of Nursing welcomed its inaugural cohort of Kenan Scholars in 2025-2026, made possible through the generous support of the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust. Eight Master of Nursing students have received this scholarship to date, selected for their dedication to advancing health and equity in their communities.

“This remarkable group of students represents the very best of our profession—individuals driven by purpose, resilience, and a deep commitment to improving the lives of others,” said Michael Relf, Dean of the School of Nursing and Mary T. Champagne Distinguished Professor of Nursing. 

In addition to providing full tuition, the scholarship program includes individual and group mentorship with School leaders and members of the Nursing Alumni Council, as well as opportunities to attend special events with the Board of Visitors. These opportunities are designed to strengthen scholars’ sense of belonging and expand their professional networks, preparing them to enter the nursing workforce with increased confidence. 

It means that Duke believes in me, my education, and my ability to make a difference.

“Being a Kenan Scholar means so much to me,” said Andrea Ramirez Martinez, who hails from Clayton, North Carolina. “It means that Duke believes in me, my education, and my ability to make a difference.” 

“To me, being a Kenan Scholar means being given an opportunity, but also being trusted with the responsibility to make something meaningful out of it,” Ramirez Martinez continued. “I hope to carry that belief in myself forward and eventually give that same feeling to someone else.” 

While an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Ramirez Martinez volunteered at UNC Hospitals, where she helped Spanish-speaking patients navigate the hospital and supported pediatric patients through coloring and crafts. She was involved in Mi Pueblo, a Latinx organization that aims to foster an inclusive environment for Latinx students and other minorities, as well as a small group of first-generation college students that came together to share their experiences. 

Ramirez Martinez is the first in her family to graduate high school, attend college, or pursue a master’s degree. She says “the people and community” who remind her that she belongs are what she most looks forward to as a Kenan Scholar and a Duke nursing student. 

“Of course, I’m excited about the opportunities to learn, grow, and connect with my professors and other nurses,” she said. “But I’m even more excited about the genuine relationships and friendships I’m building along the way.” 

The eldest of five children, Ramirez Martinez said her family is her “entire world” and that helping care for her younger siblings deeply shaped her path towards nursing. 

“My family has always been my biggest inspiration. They are the reason that I enjoy caring and supporting others,” said Ramirez Martinez. “As I matured, I knew that my calling was in healthcare. I loved learning about the many ways to provide care, not just medically, but also emotionally.”

Like her fellow Kenan Scholars, Ramirez Martinez has also demonstrated a passion for equity, and she wants to use her lived experience to help overcome barriers to care.

“Growing up in a rural community, I saw how difficult it could be for people to access healthcare,” she said. “Sometimes the barrier was distance. Sometimes it was money or it was simply not knowing where to go. As a kid, I didn't know the words to describe these barriers, but I knew that something about them didn't feel right.”

“Nursing gave me a way to turn that feeling into action, and Duke gave me a place where I could continue developing the knowledge and skills to do that,” she added. “And being a Kenan Scholar has given me the support to pursue my education while surrounding me with people who also care deeply about making a difference.”

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you for changing my life.”