Florence Golda Recipient
Theresia Donovan
Our 2025 Florence Golda Recipient is Theresia Donovan. Theresia brings a powerful combination of lived experience, academic achievement, and unwavering dedication to her nursing career. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Washington, Theresia’s journey began with deep personal roots.
Losing her father to lung cancer as a child and witnessing her mother’s resilience, as a single mom and an immigrant learning a second language, inspired Theresia’s passion for culturally competent and compassionate care. These early experiences shaped her into a nurse who is not only clinically skilled but also deeply empathetic toward underserved communities.
Theresia began her nursing career as a certified nursing assistant. She worked in both long-term care and mother-baby unit in the hospital. After becoming a licensed practical nurse, she continued her nursing education, first graduating from Pierce College in 2016 with her Associate Degree in Nursing and then from University of Washington Tacoma in 2018 with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She’s also earned several certifications including Progressive Care, Critical Care Registered Nurse and Cardiac Medicine. Theresia has spent most of her nursing career at Good Samaritan Hospital where she currently works in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.
Over the last 10 years, Theresia has stepped into leadership roles in shared governance councils and volunteered in public health initiatives. Whether she is organizing heart health awareness campaigns or mentoring colleagues as a charge nurse, she exemplifies service in every facet of her life. Theresia is committed to advancing health equity and plans to specialize in palliative care post-graduation while continuing to serve her community in Pierce County with empathy, strength, and a vision for lasting impact.
LPN to RN Recipients
Heather Jupena-Elmer
Heather Jupena-Elmer’s road to becoming a Registered Nurse is a testament to resilience, dedication, and lifelong service. With over a decade of experience as a Licensed Practical Nurse in emergency rooms, behavioral health, oncology, and more, Heather has accumulated a rich clinical background that uniquely positions her for success in her RN program at Grays Harbor College.
She has faced personal challenges in her journey to complete her RN but has turned those hardships into fuel for her professional growth. Heather is committed to continuing her education, aiming to earn her BSN and possibly become a nurse educator or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner. She volunteers with community organizations, supports youth through scouting, and serves on medical teams for events. With a deep appreciation for the value of compassionate care, Heather brings strength, empathy, and a wealth of real-world experience to every patient interaction.
Amanda Soto
Amanda Soto’s journey to becoming a Registered Nurse is nothing short of remarkable. A survivor of childhood abuse and domestic violence, Amanda defied the odds to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, raise a family, and build a meaningful career in healthcare.
Currently pursuing her BSN at Saint Martin’s University, Amanda works full-time at the VA, where she provides care to veterans—a population she feels deeply connected to and passionately supports.
Amanda’s commitment to her community extends beyond healthcare. She and her husband host community events, raise scholarship funds in memory of their son, and serve with the Lion’s Club. Her short-term goals include becoming a union representative to advocate for nurses, while her long-term aspirations involve leadership and education within the VA system. With a GPA of 3.77 and over a decade of nursing experience, Amanda embodies strength, advocacy, and the spirit of service.
College Level Recipients
Cassidy Archey
Cassidy Archey’s path into nursing was shaped by trauma, perseverance, and an unwavering belief in the healing power of care. After witnessing her brother and father survive serious accidents, Cassidy found herself drawn to healthcare as a source of hope and purpose.
Despite early setbacks, including a lack of financial support for college, Cassidy built a successful business and later returned to school as a first-generation college student.
Now enrolled at Grays Harbor College, Cassidy balances her coursework with part-time work as a CNA and active community service including serving as Secretary for the Grays Harbor College Student Nurse Association. Her long-term goal is to work in critical care or research nursing, potentially at Harborview Medical Center. She is passionate about supporting underserved populations and advocating for patients during their most vulnerable moments. Driven by her personal story and professional determination, Cassidy is set to make a lasting impact in nursing.
Oredolapo Kartchner
Oredolapo Kartchner’s journey to nursing has been shaped by rich cultural traditions and profound personal loss. Born and raised in Nigeria, Oredolapo was the village “healer” in childhood games—a role that later transformed into a real-life mission. After immigrating to the U.S., she balanced motherhood, caregiving, and part-time work to pursue her long-held dream of becoming a nurse.
Now a Master of Nursing student at Pacific Lutheran University, she brings resilience and depth to her studies and clinical practice.
Oredolapo’s passion for mental health advocacy, palliative care, and community outreach is driven by her own lived experiences. Whether volunteering in Mexico with medical outreach teams, serving patients with intellectual disabilities, or managing community programs in Nigeria, she consistently demonstrates a commitment to service. Her long-term goal is to earn a DNP and advocate for underserved communities by improving access to quality care and promoting emotional intelligence within healthcare systems.
Jackline Muriithi
Originally from Kenya, Jackline Muriithi has carried her early experiences witnessing healthcare disparities into a focused and compassionate nursing career. Now pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University, Jackline is committed to primary and mental health care—particularly for immigrant and underserved populations.
Her time as a Certified Nursing Assistant provided a solid clinical foundation and deepened her appreciation for holistic, patient-centered care.
In addition to academic excellence, Jackline actively contributes to her community through volunteering at health clinics and participating in student nursing associations. Her goals include becoming a Doctor of Nursing Practice and returning to serve marginalized communities. With a GPA of 3.86 and a strong focus on cultural competence and healthcare access, Jackline is poised to be a compassionate leader and a powerful advocate for equity in healthcare.
High School Level Recipients
Harper Miller
Harper Miller is an enthusiastic and driven student from Olympia, WA, who plans to attend Seattle University to earn her BSN. Her decision to pursue nursing took root when her grandfather fell seriously ill during the COVID-19 pandemic. Assisting in his recovery alongside her mother, a nurse, Harper discovered a calling that combines her natural compassion and her passion for service.
With a 3.97 GPA and an associate degree already in hand from South Puget Sound Community College, Harper is well on her way.
Outside the classroom, Harper is an involved community leader. She volunteers regularly, captains her high school wrestling team, and participates in multiple student organizations including HOSA and the National Honor Society. Harper aspires to become a nurse anesthetist, with a particular interest in working with children and individuals with special needs. Her energy, empathy, and leadership already set her apart, and she’s only getting started.
Tessa Richardson
Tessa Richardson is a determined and compassionate student from Port Ludlow who is preparing to begin her journey at Boise State University to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Growing up as the youngest in a close-knit family, Tessa’s early exposure to the healthcare needs of her aging grandparents sparked her passion for nursing.
Her natural inclination to care for others flourished through her involvement in Girl Scouts, where she learned the values of community service and leadership from a young age.
With a strong academic record, a commitment to becoming a travel nurse, and a heartfelt desire to serve vulnerable populations, Tessa is on a mission to bring comfort and care wherever it’s most needed.
Payton Wright
Payton Wright’s deep compassion for others is rooted in her experiences growing up in a family that fostered children and served their local church community. Whether through vacation Bible school or outdoor education, Payton has spent much of her life nurturing and guiding children—experiences that have led her to pursue a career in nursing, with a focus on pediatrics or neonatal care.
A dedicated student and volunteer, Payton plans to attend Grays Harbor College’s nursing program. She is driven by a desire to serve her community and hopes to return to the area after earning her degree. Payton understands the financial and emotional challenges that come with pursuing higher education, but her determination, work ethic, and love for caregiving continue to fuel her aspirations of becoming a compassionate and skilled nurse who advocates for families and children in their times of greatest need.