Alison Lopez Valdivia

UConn School of Nursing

I was born and raised in Lima, Peru, and graduated from Greenwich High School in Connecticut.

I have always been committed to helping others, but my time volunteering at Greenwich Hospital most fully allowed me to act on my commitment. I observed the nurses I was working with, and how their presence left a positive impact on many of their patients. A hospital is a challenging and emotional place to work; however, the nurses at Greenwich mitigated some of the hospital’s pervasive tension, reassuring the patients that they would be taken care of.

I sought involvement in Urban Service Track/AHEC Scholars (UST/AS) Program because I was raised in an underserved community, where I suffered from the injustices of the healthcare system. I believe this program will allow me to work with other community-focused medical professionals to solve challenging issues of health care in urban areas. Through this program, I will learn new clinical skills that will help me become a great nurse. Also, as a team, I and my cohort will improve general nursing practices in our healthcare system and learn the importance of health policy. I believe we can make a change in our communities and allow those with a disadvantage in health care and education to get access to crucial services that will improve their lives.