NAHN-Phoenix 2025 Scholarship Application cycle is open! Deadline to apply is May 31, 2025

Bridget Gessel 

GCU MS Leadership

My name is Bridget Gessel, and I have been in the healthcare industry for over a decade. I am currently an RN Case Manager at Mayo Clinic Hospital, where I can serve my community with care and compassion. I am also working towards completing my Master's in Nursing Leadership, with the aspiration of using my skills and abilities to lead and serve the underserved and underrepresented citizens within the Hispanic community. 

I have experienced my most significant accomplishments by participating within the NAHN Nursing community and receiving the opportunities to collaborate with organizations to expand resources and efforts to extend care and education to individuals in greatest need. Serving on the NAHN Board for three consecutive terms has exposed me to some of the most passionate, professional, and supportive individuals. Attending NAHN National Conferences each year has empowered me to reach beyond barriers to reset personal goals to meet significant healthcare challenges and explore additional pathways within my career. Working with NAHN and the National Institute of Health All of Us Research Program grant for the past two years has broadened my passion for expanding the need for research in Medicine. This has led me to establish a collaboration with NAHN, the Mayo Clinic Community Research Registry, and Community Outreach and Engagement to emerge with education and collaboration for mutual community goals. I am passionate about healthcare policy and serve on the AZ State Board of Nursing Scope of Practice Committee. I am eager to expand and shift my focus to healthcare policy bills that will significantly impact our community and healthcare future. I share this goal with several of my fellow NAHN amigas as we hope to establish a policy committee with NAHN members in the near future.

I want to express my gratitude to my NAHN family for their ongoing inspiration, dedication, and support in leveraging our capabilities to advance and pursue noble causes.

Maria Noris 

MSN-Ed Walden University

Hello, my name is Maria Noris. I have had the honor of being part of NAHN since nursing school in 2019. I have been a nurse for 3 years in the Neuro progressive care unit, a floor charge, preceptor, and TAVR nurse, and now in pre- and post-op procedural area at BEMC in Cardiology, Radiology, and endoscopy services within the hospital outpatient setting called, “CARES unit”. I am also in school furthering my education through Walden University working towards my MSN focused on Education. 

It is an immense honor to be the recipient of such a prestigious scholarship such as the Dr Ester Ruiz Academic Scholarship. 

Thank you to the scholarship committee and NAHN for choosing me and making my dream a little more accessible! 

Daisy Ortiz Santos

Chamberlain BSN  

I am currently a student at Chamberlain University who is expecting to graduate in December. This past June, I was hired in the Neuro ICU at Dignity Health as a nurse extern. I love being involved in the community as a volunteer and help individuals who are interested in nursing. NAHN has given me great opportunities throughout my career, as well as mentorship. Thank you to my NAHN Familia, who has supported me in many ways throughout my journey!

 Juan Carlos Santos

BNFP Phoenix College

Juan Santos is a third-block nursing student in the Bilingual Nursing Fellowship Program (BNFP) at Phoenix College and Arizona State University. He was born in Los Angeles, California but has called Phoenix, Arizona home for 18 years. His healthcare journey began in 2018, when he volunteered with Banner Health in high school, later accepting a position with the organization. Juan has six years of service with Banner Health, where he works as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the Medical ICU. After graduating, he plans to stay in the Medical ICU as a Registered Nurse. Juan first learned of NAHN in 2019, while working with Ashley Merida, and officially became a member in 2023 at the start of his nursing program. Through NAHN, he has become passionate about community outreach and volunteering in the community, specifically with the Hispanic population. 

Raymundo Marin 

U of A DNP Nurse Anesthesia  

Ray Marin, MS, RN, RRNA is currently pursuing his Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia at the University of Arizona. Ray holds a Bachelor's in public health and a Master's in Nursing. Having been a NAHN Phoenix member since 2019, Ray has served as our Community Outreach and Public Relations Board member. He has been an ICU Nurse for over 5 years. Ray's dreams of becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) developed naturally while working in the ICU. With only about 5% of CRNAs being Hispanic, Ray hopes to help increase the diversity in the healthcare sector by addressing health disparities. 

  Jessica Miranda Frias

U of A MEPN  

Jessica is a first generation graduate from the University of Arizona. She recently graduated with her Master's in Nursing (Entry to Practice) in early August 2024 and will soon be taking the NCLEX. During her time at Phoenix Allies for Community Health (PACH) she saw the need for more health professionals in her community and decided to pursue nursing. She has always enjoyed volunteering and is eager to be able to volunteer with more skills under her belt and be able to help out the community as a nurse. Her current goal is to learn as much as she can to be ready to someday board Mercy Ships. Jessica is grateful to receive the Licensure/Certification Scholarship and be a part of the NAHN familia.