Grounds for Health in Nicaragua

For women living in impoverished areas in underdeveloped countries, it is extremely challenging to get preventative medical care as well as the treatment that is needed. Yet there are people who have taken on this challenge and are doing something about it right now. One Nurse At A Time 2011 scholarship recipient, Sylvia Estrada, is one of those people.  Read her entire story on on line on the Nurse Together website:  http://www.nursetogether.com/Community/Volunteer-Article/itemId/2906/Cervical-Cancer-Campaign-in-Coffee-Growing-Communi.aspx

Sylvia S. Estrada, RNC, WHCNP, CBCN, MSN, MSHCM, BSN is the Clinical Program Coordinator for the Wasserman Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Ms. Estrada is nationally certified as a:  Women's Health Care Nurse Practitioner; Certified Breast Care Nurse; and Certified Clinical Research Professional.     Her current clinical care and research interests involve the screening of women, who are at high risk for breast cancer, provide genetic counseling for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer.    

 Ms. Estrada received her nursing degree from Los Angeles County /University of Southern California (LAC/USC) School of Nursing and her Bachelor's in Nursing from California State University, Los Angeles. She earned a Master's degree in Healthcare Management from California State University, Los Angeles and a Master's degree in Nursing from California State University, Long Beach. She is currently enrolled in the Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. 

Ms. Estrada demonstrates a strong commitment to her volunteer work providing service and medical care to the underserved populations across Central American countries, travelling abroad annually to address, deliver and manage gynecological and obstetric health care needs of impoverished women.  

A LIFE LIVED FOR OTHERS

"It is truly difficult to put into perspective how Africa has taken my heart captive. The warm smiles, the hospitality of the people and the unique cultures forever are sketched into my memory. However, the images of starving and orphaned children, the smell of sewage running through dirt-laden streets and the millions of people without clean water, food and basic healthcare also are tattoed on my mind and heart."  ~Heather Saunders, RN.  Read the entire article on Nurse.com http://news.nurse.com/article/20111219/STUDENT/111219001


Heather Saunders, RN, works in the ED of a Level 1 trauma center in Springfield. She graduated from an ADN program in May of 2010 and is completing her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Her goal is to attend John Hopkins University for a master’s degree in public health. Heather was One Nurses's twelveth scholarship nurse for 2011.

WELCOME DEEANN

 ONE NURSE AT A TIME welcomes out newest volunteer! Deeann Mikula, RN joins our team of people who are passionate about giving back to their local and global community through volunteer and humanitarian medical pursuits. She will serve as part of our communications team by submitting articles to nursing journals both on-line and in print, as well as maintaining out blog.

Deeann has a history of volunteering. She recently earned her RN and started working immediately at Swedish Cherry Hill Emergency Department.  Dee earned her EMT certification in 2004, which was when she decided that she was unfulfilled working with computers and wanted to get back to college passion for medicine.  At that same time, she began volunteering with her local chapter of the American Red Cross, beginning her training in Disaster Health Services.  Almost immediately upon becoming qualified to volunteer in a American Red Cross national deployment, she was sent to central Florida for Hurricane Charley. 

 That Hurricane Charley deployment turned into Hurricane Francis, Ivan and Jeanne while Dee was deployed in the area.  It was during this incredible response that she was inspired by hard work, dedication, flexibility and sense of caring of the nurses she was working with.  It was then that she decided, "Nursing is for me!"  She has since volunteered on many local disaster responses and one other national response for the American Red Cross.  She hopes to begin volunteering internationally on disaster responses and other support for communities at need. 

 Dee is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and serves on the Operations Council and the Safety Council of the Emergency Department and is a member of the Emergency Nurses Association.  Her other interest include outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking, swimming, snowshoeing and skiing, as well as travel, cooking and copious amounts of reading.

Everyone at One Nurse extends a hearty welcome to Deeann. She will be a valuable asset to the team!