Join Leading to Equitable Access to Health Professions (LEAHP) in congratulating our first cohort of LEAHP scholars. DUSON Health Equity Academy (HEA II) and the MSN program partnered with North Carolina Central to present the weeklong summer immersion program that ran from June 7 until June 11. The inaugural session welcomed five current BSN students from North Carolina Central University and North Carolina A&T State University.

During this experience, scholars worked with DUSON faculty, advisors, staff and students to develop an understanding of advanced practice nursing and support for successful admission to a graduate nursing program. LEAHP assists students in designing a professional development plan that will assist them in achieving successful admission into an Advanced Practice nursing program. Some activities included:

• Seminars and activities which highlight health disparities and health access
• Personal and professional development
• Simulated Nurse Practitioner experiences

LEAHP thanks the CND staff, MSN program, DUSON faculty and students for welcoming and engaging our scholars all week!

Biographies

Nakeisha Revels is a native of Chapel Hill and is a rising senior at North Carolina Central University. As a first-generation nurse, Nakeisha is interested in balancing racial disparities experienced by African Americans. She has worked as a certified nursing assistant to prepare herself for a long career in nursing. Nakeisha chose to participate in LEAHP to increase her perspective of advanced practice nursing and overcome any barriers that might prevent her from receiving a master’s degree. She intends to use this program to build capacity for being successful professionally with leadership, networking and communication skills. As an advanced practice nurse, Nakeisha wants to treat adults from underserved communities. She is honored to be a LEAHP scholar.

Leah Tyson is a native of Hampton, Virginia. In May 2021, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from North Carolina A&T State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. During her program, Leah had the opportunity to work with nurse scientists studying health equity and was recently a part of a publication and presentation on their findings. Leah states that she has dreamed of becoming a nurse practitioner (NP) since she was a freshman in high school. She shared that she did not meet a NP from a minoritized background until a BSN clinical experience. Leah chose to participate in LEAHP to learn how to navigate graduate school admissions process, interact with current MSN students from minoritized backgrounds and gain mentors. Leah aspires to be a pediatric nurse practitioner, possibly with dual acute and primary care certifications. Leah is a well-rounded individual with a passion for service. She wants to remain a part of LEAHP as a future mentor to subsequent cohorts.

Christicel Okeke was born and raised in Durham and is proud to be Nigerian-American. She graduated from the University of North Carolina, Charlotte in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. She is currently enrolled in North Carolina Central University’s accelerated BSN program. Christicel is participating in LEAHP to broaden her competency and perspective in understanding health equity and how she can contribute to equity in her community. Christicel’s goal is to complete a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Program and specialize in dermatology, servicing the unique needs of women of color.

Autumn Parrish is from Washington, D.C. As a rising senior at North Carolina Central University, Autumn has exemplified leadership as a resident assistant and assisting with research opportunities. She has a particular interest in health disparities and increasing health access for patient from marginalized communities. She chose to participate in LEAHP to expose herself to new ideas and perspectives that would increase her opportunities of successful admission to graduate school. After several clinical rotations at the Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital, Autumn has developed an interest in forensic nursing and caring for veteran survivors of sexual assault. She  intends to complete a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program and a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) certification to serve this vulnerable population. She believes LEAHP will help her develop leadership skills required to be a leader in mental health care of veterans.

Quivetta Lennon is a native of Durham and is a rising senior at North Carolina Central University. Quivetta dreamed of being a nurse as a young child and is excited to be able to reach that goal as a second-career student. She has spent the last 15 years working as an administrative capacity and feels that she can pair those skills with nursing and be a leader in health care. Quivetta chose to participate in LEAHP to increase her self-confidence and assist her with career decision making. After completing the immersion program, Quivetta wants to pursue an advanced practice degree in health care leadership. She is excited to participate in the first cohort of LEAHP scholars.