Florence Golda Recipient
Carol Gijima
Carol was motivated to change her career path after a car accident left her temporarily paralyzed and unable to walk for over three months. The compassionate care she received from the team of nurses at the rehabilitation center inspired her to pursue a career in nursing.
Carol shared in her application that this experience “taught me to love and have compassion for others; I learned that we all need to extend grace to our fellow humans. It was then that I rediscovered my purpose in life.”
At the time of her car accident, Carol was working on her accounting degree at Central Washington University. She completed that degree before pivoting to nursing. Carol graduated with her Associates in Nursing from Tacoma Community College in 2013, followed by her Bachelors of Nursing from Western Governors University (WGU) in 2018 and then her Masters in Nursing from WGU in 2019. She is now enrolled at Washington State University’s Doctor of Nurse Practice Psychiatric/Mental Health Practitioner program.
Carol has worked in several leadership roles including as a charge nurse and Director of Nursing Services in long term care and rehab centers. She currently works three jobs – including two positions as a psychiatric registered nurse and as a community compliant investigator for DSHS.
Carol is an active volunteer in her church community as well as with Rainier Olympic Nurses Association at high school career fairs. During 2020, Carol assisted her church community in safely resuming in person services while adhering to safety and health protocols. Also in 2020, Carol received an award for being the most compassionate nurse. Carol wrote “Rendering nursing care compassionately helps patients in times of fear, loneliness, and uncertainty. We all need some compassion in our lives.
LPN to RN Recipients
Kisela McDaniel
Kisela’s path to nursing began over 10 years ago. Initially suggested by an employment counselor while on unemployment, Kisela embraced the idea after she witnessed the compassion of the nurses who cared for her nephew when he passed away at 6 years old. Kisela shared in her application that “it has been ten years now and I cannot remember the nurses’ names, but I remember their faces.”
Kisela’s journey has not been easy. She struggled academically with some courses, encountered financial challenges, and was in a car accident that left her without transportation, but she persevered and became a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and then, in December 2019, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). After beginning work in a clinic, Kisela was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She continued working as an LPN during treatment, maintained a positive attitude and, when she was able, resumed her journey.
In January of 2024, Kisela was accepted into the LPN to RN program at Tacoma Community College. She is set to graduate in December 2024 and plans to work at the bedside, ideally in an area serving low-income, homeless, and people of color communities. Her long-term goal is to obtain a master’s degree and possibly become a nursing instructor to inspire others, particularly people of color, to pursue nursing careers.
Danene Lucero
Danene, motivated by a life-changing experience with her first daughter in the NICU and her husband’s encouragement, decided to pursue a career in nursing. She became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 2005. Danene has worked in a variety of practice settings as a LPN: correctional, home health, mental health, obstetrics, pediatrics and rehabilitation. Since 2022, she’s worked in a nursing home/rehab center in a management position.
In Fall 2023, Danene began the associate’s degree in nursing (ADN) program at Grays Harbor College. She was pregnant with her 6th child but didn’t expect to give birth preterm on her 3rd day of the nursing program. For the last seven months, Danene has juggled a full-time job, nursing school and raising a family. As the sole breadwinner for her family of 8, she is determined to complete her degree.
After completing her ADN, she plans to pursue a bachelor’s in nursing and, ultimately, her master’s degree in nursing. Her love and compassion for others fuels her drive to continue to advance her nursing education. While unsure of her exact specialization yet, she is drawn to hospital settings and is interested in OB/GYN, ICU, or ER.
Wyatt Sauvage
Wyatt always had a passion for helping others, evident in his early advocacy for worker rights and volunteering at a hospital. This passion solidified when his parents fell ill. For many years, he chose to prioritize caregiving over pursuing his dream career in nursing. After losing both parents, he went back to school to become a nurse – first as a CNA, then LPN and now in a BSN program.
Wyatt is currently an assistant health room nurse at Stadium and Mount Tahoma High School and is dedicated to serving his community. He aspires to become the school nurse at Mount Tahoma, his mother’s alma mater, and eventually take on a larger role in advocating for transparency and better use of resources within the school system. Wyatt is an active volunteer in his community from helping with his church supporting Nativity House to small acts of kindness, like anonymously providing food to a hungry student.
Wyatt believes in empowering the next generation. He hopes to instill a sense of community involvement in students and equip them to tackle future challenges. He acknowledges there will be obstacles, such as funding limitations, but sees them as hurdles to overcome, not roadblocks. He’s inspired by his father’s belief in the power of the people. Wyatt shared in his application that he believes strongly that “Some barriers will never end, but if we approach them with an open mind, they’ll end up being more like speed bumps instead of actual walls.”
College Level Recipients
Gwendolyn Carrell
When Gwendolyn was a young child, she wanted to be a police officer and a doctor. Due to financial constraints and the cost of medical school, she pursued a career in law enforcement and served as a police officer for 33 years. Despite loving her work, a medical condition forced her to retire in 2022. This setback presented a new opportunity for her to pursue her early interest in healthcare. Gwendolyn wrote in her application, “I will be fortunate enough to be able to achieve both of my childhood dreams in my lifetime. How lucky am I?”
After retiring, Gwendolyn enrolled in Grays Harbor College and excelled in her studies, maintaining a GPA of 3.97. She will complete her pre-nursing degree this Spring and has applied to the Grays Harbor College nursing program. She is also currently in the CNA program and her experience in clinicals is reinforcing her passion to pursue nursing as her second career.
Her ultimate goal is to work as a nurse in the Grays Harbor Schools while attending Washington State University Global to obtain a psychology degree. Through her work as a police officer as well as her volunteer work with youth programs and 4-H, she learned about the limited resources available and the struggles facing young people today. Gwendolyn believes her combined experience in law enforcement, nursing, and psychology will allow her to better serve the youth in her community.
Vanessa Olvera
Vanessa’s passion for nursing stems from her own childhood experiences. Witnessing the impact of a caring nurse during her own asthma attacks and the critical role she played in caring for her infant brother with whooping cough ignited a desire to provide similar compassionate care to children. She’s also volunteered at homeless shelters and daycare centers, further solidifying her desire to work with children.
Vanessa has actively pursued her goal of becoming a pediatric nurse. As a first generation college student with financial hardships, she worked as a CNA to gain experience and save money for school.
Her experiences as a CNA, both at Providence Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic and at Seattle Children’s Hospital, provided her with valuable hands-on experience and a deep understanding of pediatric care. Vanessa shared in her application “being part of the float pool has instilled in me adaptability, resilience, and a comprehensive understanding of the diverse needs of pediatric patients.
Vanessa completed her nursing prerequisites at Bellevue College and is currently pursuing her associate’s degree in nursing at Grays Harbor College. After she graduates, she plans to specialize in pediatrics and pursue her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and then her Master of Science in Nursing.
Tiffany Rinke
Tiffany’s interest in pursuing a career in nursing started when she was young and grew stronger after having children, but her passion for helping others was also impacted by her experiences with domestic violence. Following an incident that involved gun shots at her and two of her children in 2023, she embraced the idea that new strength can come out of tragedy.
Tiffany began working in the medical field over 19 years ago. After getting her GED at 16 years old, Tiffany has worked as a CNA, home health assistant and, for the last seven years as a medical assistant.
She is now completing the last quarter of prerequisites for Associate of Nursing (ADN) at Grays Harbor Community College and is scheduled to graduate with her ADN in 2026.
Tiffany is undecided about what specific path or specialty to pursue as a nurse but she is passionate about using her experiences to inform the care she provides to her patients. In her application, Tiffany wrote, “Being able to share and help a person in the situation they are in, to encourage and care for them with no judgment, to understand or sympathize with a person, and at the same time empower them to be the best version of themselves, shows someone that ‘out of every tragedy comes strength.’”
While judging parenting, school and work, Tiffany still finds time to volunteer at the Special Olympics, does community outreach, and volunteers for community health fairs.
High School Level Recipients
Mikayla Edey
Mikayla Edey’s interest in nursing began when she learned about the health disparities still endured by African American women. Later, her experiences at Multicare Academy for Students in Healthcare and Na’ha’shnee STEAM Health Summer Institute, particularly the job shadows in the OR and ICU, solidified her interest. These experiences not only confirmed her passion but also gave her confidence in her ability to meet the demands of the field.
Mikayla is very active in a number of school-related activities, serving in several leadership roles including ASB Treasurer, Black Student Union President, Native Circle Vice President, and Key Club Secretary. Through these roles, she has cultivated strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
After attending the University of Arizona to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Mikayla plans to return to Washington to work as an OR or L&D nurse. Her long-term objective is to work as a travel nurse and take part in international health missions.
Emma Laier
Emma’s route to become a nurse wasn’t always obvious. She had many different professional aspirations as a child, ranging from cashier to FBI agent, but something clicked during her second year of high school. Perhaps, it was the medical history of her family, her passion to help people, or the sadness she felt about people having disappointing experiences with medical workers. Nevertheless, Emma made the decision to become a nurse.
In her junior year, Emma decided to follow her calling and signed up for the CNA program. Her love for nursing was cemented by the curriculum, which also gave her essential skills. She flourished in the course, making friends with classmates and teachers, and after passing her written and practical tests, she applied for a tutoring position supporting the following year’s CNA students. Emma is currently 17 years old and works as a CNA tutor in addition to attending college courses to increase her healthcare skills. Her commitment demonstrates her undying love for nursing. Emma wrote in her application that “nursing is my passion.”
Sofia Mallette
Prior to attending Seattle Children’s Nurse Camp, Sofia Mallette thought doctors were the main players in patient care. She soon found that nurses had more intimate relationships with patients. After this experience, Sofia became passionate about nursing, especially in the areas of pediatrics and neonatology.
Sofia has a stellar academic record earning a 4.0 GPA in the International Baccalaureate program at Summer High School. She’s also focused her school projects on healthcare related issues. For example, when choosing a topic for a math assessment, she explored the impact of insurance coverage on patient outcomes.
As a volunteer at Good Samaritan Hospital, Sofia was able to gain a greater understanding about the reality of healthcare. Her experiences there further reinforced her desire to pursue a career in nursing.
Sofia plans to enroll in a bachelor’s program that adds a social justice component to her nursing education because she is very interested in global health. Her ideal university is the University of Michigan, where she can volunteer at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital and take part in the undergraduate honors program.