• COPHP MPH: Forever Moon
• COPHP MPH: Jae Williams
• Online MPH: Daniela Villalobos
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Elysse Loyola
• Master of HIHIM: Giovanna Zarate Reyes
• MHA: Vincent Da
• Executive MHA: Anna Scheglov
• Health Services MPH: Beth Obssie
• Health Services Ph.D.: Jesus Valencia

• COPHP MPH: Kisna Prado
• Online MPH: Amee Bartlet
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Bridget Mwendar
• Master of HIHIM: Shadia Nagi
• MHA: Stephanie Do
• Health Services MPH: Kendra Canton
• Health Services Ph.D.: Dante Morehead

• COPHP MPH: Rachele Hurt
• Online MPH: Alexis Lopez
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Jennifer Kim
• Master of HIHIM: Yasmin Farah
• MHA: Ashley Jung
• Executive MHA: Christina Burrows
• Health Services MPH: Brandi Reano
• Health Services Ph.D.: Juan Gudino

• COPHP MPH: Tia Benall
• Online MPH: Manuel Carmona
• Online MPH: Renee Asence
• Online MPH: Joshua Farahnik
• Online MPH: Chantel Garrett
• Online MPH: Marcy Lake
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Emily Lu
• Master of HIHIM: Sabrina Matlock
• MHA: Priyanka Choudhury
• Executive MHA: Metasabia Afewoork
• Health Services MPH: Sarah Burdette
• Health Services Ph.D.: Taylor Rapson

• COPHP MPH: Tracy Yeung
• Online MPH: Paige Lispcome
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: John Doan
• Master of HIHIM: Christopher Lanphear
• MHA: Kush Doshi
• Executive MHA: Yuliya Shirokova
• Health Services MPH: Daisy Parra-Padilla
• Health Services Ph.D.: Shanise Owens

• COPHP MPH: Marissa Hesketh and Marissa Jauregui
• Online MPH: Gloria Lockwood
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Hiwot Bire
• Master of HIHIM: Andrea Navarrete
• MHA: Eric Solano Garcia
• Executive MHA: Tom Pittman
• Health Services MPH: Santino Giovanni Camacho
• Health Services Ph.D.: Raymond Ruiz

• Online MPH: Leah Wainman
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Nada Yousif
• Master of HIHIM: Ahmad Kamiab
• MHA: Abisayo Ariwoola
• Executive MHA: Saibo Tunkara
• Health Services MPH: Marissa Jackson

• COPHP MPH: Gabriel Cortez
• Online MPH: Roger Kim
• Bachelor of Science in HIHIM: Jessica Gabuyo
• Master of HIHIM: Habtu Hailu Demeke and Benjamin Akimana
• MHA: Dalila Zelkanovic
• Executive MHA: Esmeralda Switzer
• Health Services MPH: Noelia Flores
• Health Services Ph.D.: Amy Edmonds

Program: Master of Health Administration

Abisayo Ariwoola is a second-year student in the Master of Health Administration (MHA) program.

Says Abisayo, “I believe care should be universal and I am passionate about making sure that it is delivered in a way that is fair, equitable and inclusive.

I hope to bolster this passion as a health administrator focused on strategy, finance and operations in a large health system.

I am grateful for the HSEED award as it has allowed me the time to truly focus on the MHA curriculum, and to participate in a host of additional enriching experiences outside of the classroom.”

Program: Bachelor of Science in HIHIM

Hiwot Bire is a first-year student in her second quarter of the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Health Informatics & Health Information Management (HIHIM) program.

Says Hiwot, “I am so thankful to have received this HSEED award. Without this award I would not have been able to continue my education due to the financial burden. Getting this award has helped me to focus more on my education instead of worrying about my debt.

My goal is to finish my education and get certified as a Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA). In addition, I want to support the HSEED program in the future.”

Program: Health Services MPH

“I aspire to do research to help improve mental health and other health disparities in the queer Pacific Islander community. The HSEED scholarship has provided me with both the monetary support and the amazing opportunity to gain public health experience. Migai Ma’ase! (Thank you!) I intend to continue my career by achieving a Ph.D. I hope to be a role model and inspire both Pacific Islander and Queer students to succeed in higher education, and to conduct research to help improve health conditions for our community members.”

Santino Giovanni Camacho received the HSEED award as a first-year student in the 2018-2019 academic year.

Program: Health Systems and Population Health MPH

Kendra’s public health focus includes healthcare access, health disparities, community health, and program management. Kendra is currently working on her capstone project at the Tubman Center for Health and Freedom and is also a Graduate Student Assistant at Seattle Children’s. In the future, she hopes to improve health equity and the quality of care for underrepresented communities through education, advocacy, and research. 

“As a first-generation college student, pursuing a higher education is one thing I am most grateful for. The HSEED award helped relieve the financial stress and burden of graduate school. Additionally, this award gave me the opportunity to obtain the skills and knowledge needed to achieve my personal and professional goals within public health.”

Kendra received the HSEED award in the 2022-2023 academic year.

Program: Community-Oriented Public Health Practice MPH

Gabriel Cortez is a first-generation college graduate. Funding from the HSEED award in AY 2016-2017 helped Gabriel offset tuition for his “reach” school and purchase a laptop and printer, critical tools for academic success. The funding also helped reduce the burden of his school loans, and as he stated, “allow me a more equitable opportunity to succeed among my peers – top public health students.”

Program: Master of Health Administration

“The HSEED award serves as more than just a means to mitigate financial burdens for me, as a first-generation college student. It also plays a pivotal role in acknowledging and affirming the breadth of my diverse experiences. It’s a reassurance that our unique backgrounds are not only acknowledged but celebrated.” 

When reflecting on his years ahead, he notes, “my academic and career aspirations are deeply rooted in a resolute commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equity within communities.”

Vincent received the HSEED award in Academic Year 2023-2024.

Program: Master of HIHIM

Habtu Demeke is a Master of Health Informatics & Health Information Management (MHIHIM) second-year student, whose long-term goal is creating a safe and high-quality health care environment, because “I really enjoy helping people and giving back to our community.” Habtu adds, “I am grateful for the opportunities opened up by being one of the 2016-2017 HSEED Award Recipients. As you know, when you are on student loans, every penny matters. Receiving this scholarship was very helpful, and reduced my financial burdens.”

Program: Master of Health Administration

Through the combination of her upbringing in an immigrant family and her undergraduate studies in the UW School of Public Health, promoting health equity and improving accessibility to care have been longstanding passions for Stephanie. Her lived and academic experiences led her to pursue an MHA degree to gain the professional and technical skills that will help her create change at a systemic level. Receiving the HSEED award has given her the opportunity to focus on paving the way for Asian American women who also strive to become impactful healthcare leaders.

Stephanie received the HSEED award in Academic Year 2022-2023. 

Program: Master of Health Administration

I am a concurrent Master’s student in Health Administration through the School of Public Health and Public Administration through the Evans School of Public Policy of Governance. As a student of color growing up in a socioeconomically struggling family, nothing is more important than my stance on health equity. I aim to use my two degrees to work in Federally Qualified Health Centers and Community Health Centers to improve health outcomes for communities of color.

The HSEED award has allowed me to pursue my dream of serving the communities I come from. Furthermore, the award has allowed greater flexibility in my ability to spend more time pursuing my professional goals such as connecting with health equity champions in the Seattle area.

Program: Health Services Ph.D.

Amy Edmonds received the HSEED award as a second-year student in AY 2016-2017.

Amy said the award helped her, “realize my dreams of becoming a health disparities researcher, and gain the research skills I need to work towards improving health and health services/policies for vulnerable populations. I am grateful for the HSEED Award’s support for giving me the space to focus on my passions of helping to organize Lobby Day for Health Equity (an annual, 50+ student initiative that trains and brings students to Olympia every year to discuss legislation that has a bearing on health equity within WA state), and working towards connecting the field of population health research as a volunteer with the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Science.”

Program: Health Services MPH

Noelia Flores is a first-generation college graduate from The Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Noelia received the HSEED award in AY 2016-2017, and said, “I hope to learn strategies Washington is implementing to improve health care access and quality, so I can help improve the system back home. Without the HSEED Award, I would have stressed over my finances, and lost my flexibility in acquiring valuable experiences in my field of interest.”

Program: Master of Health Administration

As a son of migrant laborers from Yakima, Washington, I could not have imagined my family’s dreams of me bettering myself becoming a reality, by being here at the University of Washington. I am an authentic leader with a humble upbringing which has driven me to systematically improve the health of our diverse communities by advocating for equitable care. In pursuing a graduate degree in health administration, I desire to make a change in myself so that I can be in a position to make a change around me.

Receiving the HSEED Award has not only provided me with support to pursue my administrative internship at Massachusetts General Hospital, but it is also a reminder to embody gratitude in my accomplishments.

Program: Health Services MPH

Marissa received the HSEED as a second-year MPH student in AY 2017-2018 in the Social and Behavioral Sciences concentration.

“I am interested in the use of storytelling and data to shine a spotlight on reproductive health disparities in communities of color. While at UW, I completed a six-month internship with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where I supported the Grand Challenges team in their efforts to fund innovation in gender equality, maternal and child health, and sanitation. Upon finishing my degree, I intend to pursue my DrPH, and hope to become a leader in eliminating racial disparities in reproductive health at the national level. I am incredibly grateful for receiving the HSEED Award. I am completely funding my graduate endeavors, and this award has made it financially feasible to pursue a masters degree and gain a skillset in health services and health equity.”

Program: Community-Oriented Public Health Practice MPH

Marissa Jauregui received the HSEED award as a first-year student in AY 2018-2019.

Marissa’s public health focus includes mental health, reproductive health, and health policy. Marissa is a Fulbright scholar who completed an English teaching appointment at the Universidad Politécnica de Yucatán in Mexico in 2018.

“I believe in engaging and listening to communities to uplift the stories and voices of all people. The HSEED Award gave me the opportunity to attend the University of Washington, and gave me the financial security to pursue my passion for holistic wellness through the healing techniques of naturopathic medicine, meditation, acupuncture, therapy, and self-reflection.”

Program: Online MPH

Roger Kim is a second-year student in the Online MPH program. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, a US Army Officer veteran, and a Seattle firefighter.

Roger says: “My goal with an MPH degree is to further my pursuit of public service with a focus on population health through emergency response and planning. The HSEED award has been an honor, and has alleviated my financial burden, allowing me to better focus on the tutelage of my professors and cohort.”

Program: Online MPH

First-year Online MPH student Paige reflects, “One of the reasons I decided to pursue my MPH is because of my passion for health equity and social justice. I currently volunteer at a local nonprofit that supports drug users and sex workers. Based on this and other experiences, I believe I can make the biggest impact through program evaluation and development.”

Paige adds, “The HSEED Award will allow me the opportunity to follow my academic dream by offsetting some of the costs associated with traveling between my hometown of Washington, DC and Seattle. Upon graduating from UW, I would like to further my desire of being an agent of change for my community, both local and global, hopefully through the U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps.”

Program: Online MPH

First-year Online MPH student Gloria reflects, “I currently provide direct patient care, but as my knowledge and understanding of the health care system has grown, I have come to want to support patients on a macro scale. I believe that health promotion is not just about ‘changing their behaviors,’ but also about understanding how the larger environment impacts patients’ well-being and health outcomes.

The HSEED Award has given me support to offset some of the burden of tuition costs, which is immensely helpful and greatly appreciated. More than that, however, this award signifies that there is a committee of people who believe in the goals I have set for myself, and in the communities I intend to serve.”

Program: Health Services Ph.D.

“I’m grateful to have received this award and it has provided me with support, opportunity, and helping me in pursuing what I consider my purposeful work in serving my community and to address cancer-health inequities and structural/systemic barriers around screening utilization in underrepresented and marginalized populations. As a 2nd year student now in my doctoral program in Health Systems and Population Health, I reflect back on my first year and think how fortunate I was for that additional support and I was able to focus on getting through my first year and adjusting as a new student to rigorous coursework and scheduling.”

Dante received the HSEED award in AY 2022-2023 in his first year of the PhD program.

Program: Master of Health Informatics and Health Information Management

“Managing both tuition and additional expenses beyond it, especially as a Muslim student who avoids loans, has been difficult, but this support has been incredibly helpful. I was able to excel in my classes and lead by example for those around me. As a first-generation student and the eldest daughter, I consistently strive to achieve my best. This support enabled me to bring out the best in myself and perform at my fullest potential.”

When looking to her experience after the program, Shadia notes, “My goal is to work with organizations dedicated to improving minority health, transitioning into a role where I can make a difference through data analysis. I have prior experience working in minority communities, and I’m determined to continue this path.”

Shadia received the HSEED award in AY 2022-2023 as a first-year student.

Program: Health Services Ph.D.

Shanise received the HSEED in AY 2019-2020.

“I am thrilled to be in a doctoral program that will strengthen my analytic skills while also developing my leadership abilities. The HSEED Award provided an opportunity for me to smoothly transition into pursuing my purpose to work on research to address disparities in mental health services. This award allowed for me to fully concentrate on my first quarter of coursework for my Ph.D. program. And I am appreciative of the award as it helped to offset expenses related to relocating from the east coast to the west coast.”

Program: Health Services Ph.D.

Raymond received the award as a first-year student in the PhD program in AY 2018-2019.

“I hope to have a meaningful impact on the field of community-based public health research by becoming a health disparities researcher focused on reducing health inequities for sexual and gender minorities. I am grateful to have been selected as one of the recipients of the HSEED Award. This award helped me to offset the costs of moving to Seattle to pursue my Ph.D. at the University of Washington, and it has enabled me to purchase a laptop, textbooks, and other necessary school supplies.”

Program: Executive Master of Health Administration

“Having originally emigrated from Moscow, Russia, with limited resources, knowledge and understanding of my new environment, I’ve embarked on a journey that has been both challenging and rewarding. At the FQHC, where I work, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by underserved communities. My role enables me to help bridge the gaps in healthcare access by reducing barriers and connecting individuals to essential resources that were once out of my reach as well. The hands-on experience I gain daily has not only honed my professional skills but also deepened my empathy and commitment to healthcare equity. The journey through my EMHA program is enriched by these real world interactions, allowing me to bring practical insights into the academic setting, which enhances my learning and the value I bring.”

“I am incredibly grateful to have been selected as a recipient of the HSEED award. This recognition has relieved the financial pressure on my family, enabling me to devote my full attention to my academic pursuits without the looming stress of financial constraints. It allows me to focus more on my professional development and educational goals, ensuring that I can continue to make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond.”

Anna received the award as a first-year EMHA student in Academic Year 2023-2024.

Program: Executive Master of Health Administration

Julia says, “Thank you for your generous support of students in the UW Executive Master of Health Administration program. I am thrilled to be a recipient of the HSEED Scholarship. With this award, I will have extra time and the peace of mind to focus on learning.

I am currently in my first year of the EMHA program and I’m enjoying the program. The interaction with other health care professionals in a learning environment is very helpful and the information on healthcare models from around the world is inspiring.

While in this program I hope to deepen my knowledge in healthcare administration, actively contribute to the development of the next generation of leaders, form strong relationships, grow in my career and become the best Administrator I can be for the staff in my clinic.

Thank you for your belief in my potential and the financial assistance.”

Program: Executive Master of Health Administration

Esmeralda Switzer is a second-year student in the Executive Master of Health Administration (EMHA) program.

Says Esmeralda, “The HSEED is more than monetary assistance, it’s hope, support and encouragement that my goals and aspirations are worth every ounce of work and determination.

As I increase my breadth within Sea Mar Community Health Centers, I am excited about my ability to fulfill the mission of providing excellent, accessible health care to the underserved and diverse communities of Western Washington.

One day, I hope to give back to programs that support the education of our youth, inspire the next generation of healthcare professionals, and thrive in an operations role where I can take part in improving quality and access to health care in rural communities.

I am incredibly thankful for the donors to the HSEED Award, and those that believed in me enough to choose me as an award recipient. There truly isn’t a better gift than to be validated for what you stand for. Thank you!”

Program: Online MPH

Daniela Villalobos received the HSEED award as a first-year student in AY 2023-2024.

Daniela says, “Through the Online MPH, I hope to expand my knowledge in keeping underserved populations healthy in their communities. I am interested in environmental health and health policy. I am very thankful to have been selected as a recipient of the HSEED award. This award has given me the opportunity to alleviate some of the financial pressure and allowed me to focus fully on my studies.”

Program: Community-Oriented Public Health Practice MPH

Jae Williams received the award as a first-year student in AY 2023-2024.

“I believe that true change towards guaranteeing health for all starts in community, and I am excited that the work I am doing allows me to be directly involved with creating meaningful change. The HSEED Award has given me the space to fully focus on my studies. I am appreciative that this funding has helped to offset the expenses of being in school and adjusting to a new city.”

Program: Community-Oriented Public Health Practice MPH

“I came to the U.S. from Hong Kong and grew up in a very diverse community. Much of my volunteer and work experience has been with low-income, limited-English speaking, elderly, and/or disabled communities. Through the COPHP MPH, I want to learn skills to empower and improve the health of marginalized, underserved populations. Specifically, I am interested in policy analysis and program evaluation. The HSEED award provides me significant financial relief and I am humbled and grateful to receive this award.”

Program: Master of Health Informatics and Health Information Management

“Halfway through my master’s program, I completed a challenging yet rewarding quarter focused on data analytics, project management, and privacy and security. This experience ignited a keen interest in leveraging informatics skills to address healthcare gaps, particularly in social determinants of health. Winning the HSEED Equity and Diversity Award deeply impacted my journey as a first-generation student, providing financial relief and inspiring continued pursuit of excellence. I aspire to play a role in crafting innovative solutions that enhance patient outcomes and promote health equity.”

Giovanna received the award as a first-year student in Academic Year 2023-2024.

Program: Master of Health Administration

Dalila Zelkanovic is a second-year Master of Health Administration (MHA) student. Through the MHA program, Dalila is “eager to learn how to ensure effective health care services are delivered. Upon graduation, I see myself in a role that supports care delivery- improving access to appropriate and equitable care. Receiving the HSEED Award reinforced my personal conviction towards health equity, as well as the university’s commitment to equity.”