Three Seattle University Doctor of Nursing Practice students, Erin Fitzgerald, Lucy Maher and Athena Bollozos are among the next cohort of Washington State Opportunity Scholarship (WSOS) Graduate Scholars. With the intention of increasing the number of providers in Washington’s medically underserved areas, this scholarship supports Nurse Practitioner students from Washington who are pursuing primary care and behavioral health-focused degrees.
Graduate Scholars will complete clinical hours in a Washington state Medically Underserved Area (MUA), or Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) as designated by HRSA and commit to practice in an MUA or HPSA for at least 2 years after program completion.
Erin Fitzgerald and Lucy Maher took time to share some of their future goals with us and what they look forward to as WSOS Grad Scholars.
Erin Fitzgerald, DNP-PMHNP '24
Erin Fitzgerald, DNP ‘24, is a doctoral student in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program.
Q. What drew you to pursue your DNP at Seattle U?
While completing an internship as an MSW student, the psychiatry residents would complete didactics on Wednesdays in the office next door. They reviewed cases from our inpatient unit, and I always wanted to be in that room. I wanted to explore the intersection between mental health symptoms, the body, psychosocial factors, and treatment modalities to provide holistic care. I began researching programs the fall after graduation and was drawn to Seattle U due to the social justice mission and my interest in seeing how spirituality and faith can be woven into medicine.
Q. What do you look forward to most about the clinical experiences you will gain as a WSOS Scholar?
The WSOS Scholarship is opening doors to rural clinical experiences that I wouldn’t otherwise be able to participate in due to financial barriers. I am so incredibly grateful for the support and freedom to pursue clinical placements in different regions to round out my knowledge. I am equally thrilled to be a part of this new community to share space with like-minded professionals. Our first event is next month, and I can’t wait to learn all about my peers and their varied interests.
Q. What are your plans/career goals after you graduate?
A little bit of everything! As a future Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, my goal is to apply what I have learned as a WSOS and WA Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Scholar to global health, crisis stabilization, and addiction services while continuing to teach and prioritize the underserved. In doing so, I hope to help increase access while reducing inequities in mental health care.
Lucy Maher, DNP-FNP '24
Lucy Maher, DNP ’24, is a doctoral student in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program.
Q. What drew you to pursue your DNP at Seattle U?
I decided to pursue a DNP at Seattle U because I have always felt the need to help people. Seattle University's mission of serving the community aligned with my own goals to pursue a future as a medical provider. As a Seattle native, I was familiar with the school and its reputation, so to me it was a natural fit. I chose to become a DNP because I want to be a leader in health care, help shape public policy, and advance the health of the community.
Q. What do you look forward to most about the clinical experiences you will gain as a WSOS Scholar?
As a WSOS scholar, I'm most looking forward to gaining first-hand experience as a provider in a community health setting. I think this is important so I can develop my own skills while learning how to best help those around me. I feel invested in the Seattle community and I'm excited to have the opportunity to have a positive impact on its health and wellbeing.
Q. What are your plans/career goals after you graduate?
After graduation, I plan to work in a primary care or urgent care setting focused on community health in the greater Seattle area. This is the best fit for me because I want to work directly with underserved patients who have the greatest needs. I plan to use the knowledge I've gained through my education and experiences to develop health policies, investigate new methods of care, and find ways to improve outcomes for patients. I feel very fortunate to have received the WSOS scholarship and I look forward to giving back to the community as a nurse practitioner.