Rural communities often face significant barriers to healthcare, including limited access to medical facilities, a shortage of healthcare providers, and higher rates of chronic diseases. These challenges are compounded by socioeconomic factors such as poverty and limited transportation options. Despite these obstacles, rural healthcare providers demonstrate remarkable resilience and innovation in delivering care. 

Dr. Tammy Porter, DNP’20, MLS, RN-BSN, CCM, CPHQ, now a nurse leader with over 30 years of experience, cited her time as a student at Duke University School of Nursing as one of the biggest influences on her nursing career and a deciding factor in her choice to financially support the School and current students.

Becoming a nurse was a practical decision for Julie Ann Darling, who hails from Norfolk, Virginia. After graduating high school and working in several industries, she lived paycheck to paycheck. By age 26, she had had enough and realized she needed a college degree to secure a sustainable income. She decided that nursing was a good option.