CU Nursing - Commencement December 2021 - 18

18
GR ADUAT I ON
Salwa says research shows patients
do better when they are treated by a
medical professional who looks like
them and can advocate for them.
U.S. Census Bureau statistics show
that more than one-third of the
populations identifies as non-white.
Yet, the minority nursing population
is only 19-percent.
When Salwa graduates, she will
work to help other minority students
enter the nursing profession.
She'll also continue to serve on
the CU College of Nursing Alumni
Association Board, upon which she
was recently elected. She's grateful
the university is hiring a diversity
coordinator to focus on the issue
of diversity and equity in nursing
education.
As a Family Nurse Practitioner
today, she cares for families and
plans to educate them and be an
advocate for equal access to primary
Salwa Mourtada Bamba and her family. Courtesy of Teri Mingilton, Elemintal Photography
Most students who experience discrimination are
not talking about it because they don't feel safe and
they don't think they're going to be heard. They just
think, 'I'm going to keep my head down, take care
of my family, survive and graduate. There's a lot of
turmoil inside. Our goal with Future Voices is to
allow a safe space for their voices to be heard where
they don't fear retaliation. " - Salwa Bamba
care for marginalized communities.
In her hometown of Liberia, she's
starting a non-profit organization
in her sister's name to help women,
infants, and children with health
literacy and free prenatal and wellchild
checks.
Salwa had a traumatic start to life
facing terror and civil unrest. Now,
she deliberately chooses to walk
down the road of social injustice so
that those who follow will have an
easier journey.
CU College of Nursing | December 2021
CU Nursing - Commencement December 2021

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