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Healing with Knowledge, Leading with Heart
Healing with Knowledge, Leading with Heart
The University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing and Health Professions is dedicated to shaping future nursing leaders who drive meaningful change in healthcare. Guided by our core values, we challenge existing paradigms to advance health equity and justice, foster a diverse and inclusive community, and uphold excellence, accountability, and ethical practice. Through collaboration and scholarly inquiry, we equip students with the skills to provide compassionate, evidence-based care while advocating for policies that strengthen the healthcare system.
PUTTING VALUES INTO PRACTICE EVERY DAY.
Produced by the USF Office of Marketing and Communication in collaboration with the SONHP
Voices for Care: A Nursing Student’s Call to Action
Voices for Care: A Nursing Student’s Call to Action
This multimedia portfolio, created by William Sousa, a nursing student at the University of San Franciso, highlights key policy initiatives shaping the future of nursing and healthcare. As a participant in the 2025 AACN Student Policy Summit, William presents this portfolio to legislators to advocate for stronger nursing education, workforce development, and healthcare improvements. Through a blend of media and research, this work aims to bridge the gap between policy and practice, ensuring a healthier tomorrow for all.
The Pulse of Nursing Education: Faculty Insights on the Future
The Pulse of Nursing Education: Faculty Insights on the Future
In this collection of interviews, nursing faculty discuss the key challenges and opportunities within nursing education. Topics include curriculum innovation, clinical training gaps, and the evolving demands of the healthcare industry. These perspectives provide an in-depth look at the issues that shape nursing education today and highlight the importance of policy solutions to strengthen the nursing workforce for the future.
Voices of Nursing:
Voices of Nursing:
Stories of Passion, Perseverance, and Change
Stories of Passion, Perseverance, and Change
Nursing students are the future of healthcare, but the road to becoming a nurse isn’t easy. In this episode of Beyond The Books: Real Talk From Student Nurses, we hear firsthand from three students facing major challenges in their journey—clinical instructor shortages, financial aid struggles, and the impact of life events on student retention. Their stories highlight the real barriers within nursing education and why investing in future nurses is more important than ever.
Join us as we explore their experiences and discuss what it will take to support the next generation of nurses.
Ryan Hamachi
Fabian Alvarez
MJ Mercadal
Dons in D.C.
Dons in D.C.
Representing USF with Purpose
Representing USF with Purpose
Meet the student leaders and faculty who proudly represented the University of San Francisco at the 2025 AACN Student Policy Summit. Together, they brought the voice of future nurses to the nation's capital, advocating for the advancement of nursing education, practice, and leadership.
A dedicated group of six students, including the Dean from the School of Nursing and Health Professions, stepped onto the national stage. Over three days, they engaged with policymakers, networked with peers from across the country, and deepened their understanding of how policy shapes the future of healthcare.
Our USF delegation demonstrated leadership, resilience, and a commitment to the Jesuit values of service and social justice, bringing fresh perspectives and strong voices to important conversations about the nursing profession.
Together, they carried the spirit of USF from the Hilltop to Capitol Hill, advocating with purpose and passion.
Lisha Yu
Degree Program:
BSN-RN | Gerontology & Biochemistry Minor
Class of 2027
Policy Interest:
Nursing Education
Alexis Magaña
Degree Program:
BSN-RN (Sacramento Campus)
Class of 2025
Policy Interest:
Nursing Education
William Sousa
Degree Program:
BSN-RN | Media Studies Minor
Class of 2026
Policy Interest:
Nursing Education
Emira Romero, MSN, RN, CNL
Degree Program:
DNP-FNP
Class of 2026
Policy Interest:
Healthcare Access/Equity, Nursing Education & Workforce
Isabella Shahmirza, MPH
Degree Program:
ME-MSN/Clinical Nurse Leader
Class of 2025
Policy Interest:
Improve the Health of the Nation: A Focus on Migrant Farmworker Communities
Sapna Bakshi, BSN, RN
Jonas Scholar
Degree Program:
DNP-PMHNP
Class of 2027
Policy Interest:
Social Determinants of Health, Community Mental & Behavioral Health
Dr. Eileen Fry-Bowers,
PHD, JD, RN, CPNP, FAAN
Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions
Policy Interest:
Child Health, Health Equity, and Workforce Policy
From Scrubs to the Capitol:
From Scrubs to the Capitol:
Our Policy Summit Journey
Our Policy Summit Journey
From takeoff to Capitol Hill, USF student leaders set out on a journey packed with ambition, discovery, and a little bit of turbulence.
This student-led vlog captures it all — the excitement of traveling to Washington, D.C., the inspiration sparked during AACN summit seminars, and the powerful moments advocating face-to-face with California representatives. Follow along as future nurse leaders turn every challenge into an opportunity — and every conversation into a step toward change.
In this special episode of Beyond the Books: Real Talk From Student Nurses, USF attendees share the real story behind their journey to the AACN Student Policy Summit in Washington, D.C.
From the rush of travel and summit sessions to impactful conversations with California representatives on Capitol Hill, this episode brings together different voices, experiences, and reflections — all captured through the eyes of student nurses stepping into leadership.
Hear the energy, challenges, and powerful moments that made this adventure unforgettable.
Featuring a guest appearance from Dr. Eileen Fry Bowers, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, as she shares her insights and reflections on the summit experience.
A Victory for Advocacy:
A Victory for Advocacy:
Senator Padilla Voices Support
Senator Padilla Voices Support
Through this portfolio, I set out to not only share the experience of the AACN Student Policy Summit but also to shine a spotlight on important legislative efforts shaping the future of nursing — including the Future Advancement of Academic Nursing (FAAN) Act.
Thanks to our advocacy and the momentum built by student nurses nationwide, I’m proud to share that California Senator Alex Padilla has agreed to cosponsor this critical legislation. His support represents a vital step toward strengthening the nursing workforce, expanding access to nursing education, and uplifting underserved communities.
Senator Padilla’s office issued a statement recognizing the essential role nurses play and reaffirming his commitment to addressing workforce challenges and supporting future nurse leaders.
This moment underscores the real-world impact of student advocacy — and the power of using our voices to move health policy forward.
A special thank you to Professor Lynda Boyer-Chu for helping make this moment possible by reaching out to Senator Padilla’s office and supporting this advocacy effort.
Explore the full statement below and see how Senator Padilla is standing with the future of nursing!
Alex Padilla
U.S. Senator for California
Take Action for Nursing Policy!
Take Action for Nursing Policy!
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
Help shape the future of nursing by contacting your representatives. We've created a ready-to-use letter to make it easy.
YOUR VOICE MATTERS!
Help shape the future of nursing by contacting your representatives. We've created a ready-to-use letter to make it easy.
📄 Download Advocacy Letter Below
📄 Download Advocacy Letter Below
Personalize it. Send it. Make an impact.
Personalize it. Send it. Make an impact.
✅ Support better nursing education
✅ Strengthen the workforce
✅ Improve patient care
✅ Support better nursing education
✅ Strengthen the workforce
✅ Improve patient care
Let’s advocate—together for a healthier tomorrow.
Let’s advocate—together for a healthier tomorrow.
Who Represents You?
Who Represents You?
Ready to advocate? Start by finding your elected officials with a quick ZIP code search.
Ready to advocate? Start by finding your elected officials with a quick ZIP code search.
Acknowledgements:
Acknowledgements:
A Heartfelt Thank You!
A Heartfelt Thank You!
This portfolio wouldn’t have been possible without the support, guidance, and encouragement of some incredible individuals.
This portfolio wouldn’t have been possible without the support, guidance, and encouragement of some incredible individuals.
A huge thank you to all those who played a part in bringing this vision to life.
A huge thank you to all those who played a part in bringing this vision to life.
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Dean of the University of San Francisco School of Nursing and Health Professions
Dr. Eileen Fry-Bowers
School of Nursing and Health Professions Director for Partnerships and Communications
Carolina Echeverria
Professors Featured in the Interview:
Lynda Boyer-Chu
Heather Bollinger
Dr. Sharon Goldfarb
Nursing Students Featured in Podcast:
Ryan Hamachi
Fabian Alvarez
MJ Mercadal
Alexis Magaña
Lisha Yu
Emira Romero
Isabella Shahmirza
Sapna Bakshi
A Special Thank You to My Media Studies Professor:
Natacha Ruck
I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and insightful guidance that helped shape this project into what it is today.
And of course, a heartfelt thanks to my fellow Dons for building a vibrant and supportive community that has helped me grow throughout my nursing journey.
And of course, a heartfelt thanks to my fellow Dons for building a vibrant and supportive community that has helped me grow throughout my nursing journey.
wfsousa@dons.usfca.edu
www.linkedin.com/in/studentnursewill
Let's Connect!
Let's Connect!
Thanks for visiting my portfolio. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to connect, collaborate, or just say hello.
Thanks for visiting my portfolio. Feel free to reach out if you'd like to connect, collaborate, or just say hello.
I’m always open to new opportunities and conversations—looking forward to hearing from you!
I’m always open to new opportunities and conversations—looking forward to hearing from you!
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