Karina Neves

Karina Neves is the proud recipient of a Johnson & Johnson Edwidge Thomas Scholarship. This is a prestigious award that has significantly contributed to her academic journey. She obtained her associate's degree in nursing from Dutchess Community College and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Excelsior University. Karina is currently enrolled in the University of Connecticut's Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Master's Program and will graduate in May of 2025 with the support of this scholarship.

With nine years of experience in the nursing field, Karina has honed her skills and knowledge in various roles. She has worked in short-term rehabilitation, medical and surgical specialties, gaining a diverse set of experiences. However, it was her current position at Yale New Haven Hospital's Adult Cardiac Intensive Care Unit that impacted her personal and professional life the most. Karina fell in love with the adult gerontology population and gained a great deal of experience and confidence while caring and advocating for patients and families. Throughout the years, Karina has strived to support her unit and teammates by working in other roles as well, including unit charge nurse, preceptor, and member of the central line bloodstream infection prevention committee and the hospital's professional nursing governance. Most importantly, Karina prides herself in compassionate, professional and evidence based holistic care. Through engagement - listening, and being truly present, Karina engages with her patients to see beyond their diagnosis.

For Karina, service is not just a duty, but a core belief that permeates everything she does. It's about more than just a paycheck; it's about compassion, knowledge, and seeing the world through the eyes of those she serves. In her personal life, Karina volunteers and supports her local church, and has even traveled to the Dominican Republic on mission trips to work with Haitian refugees. Professionally, Karina is committed to treating the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of her patients. She sees her master's program as a crucial step in this journey. As an advanced care provider, Karina will have the autonomy to connect with her patients on a deeper level, build trust, and empower them to achieve a higher level of health and well-being.

The NEF scholarship is more than just financial support for Karina. It's a vote of confidence in her abilities and a recognition of her potential. This scholarship allows her to focus on her master's degree with a greater sense of peace and less financial burden. Furthermore, Ms. Neves is eager to take on essential challenges plaguing our healthcare system, such as lack of health equity, healthcare costs, and healthcare outcomes. Karina is deeply grateful for this opportunity and hopes to one day pay forward the same generosity that has been shown to her, supporting other adult students in their academic journeys.