Hello, I'm Celeste! I graduated from South Albany High School in 2020 and attended Western Oregon University for 2 years. I'm currently in my sophomore year of Nursing school at OHSU and will be graduating in 2025! I came in wanting to become a nurse because I experienced and saw the need for help, not only in the healthcare system in the United States but in the country where my roots are from, Mexico. Seeing how most of my family, had to maneuver around many boundaries to seek medical attention was eye-opening and made me passionate about helping in any way I can. My passion project, with a lot of work, is opening a clinic with more reliable and affordable healthcare in the small town my parents are from in Mexico. I am fortunate enough to have been accepted into a great program, a program that not many dream of even attending. I know OHSU will give me the tools to keep learning after graduation and gain experience in a healthcare system that is on the right track here in the United States. With these tools and experience, I want to help the less fortunate, not only in the United States but in the other country that I am proud to have come from, Mexico. Honduras is not very different from what Mexico has experienced with healthcare, one of the boundaries being transportation to these far, but reliable, healthcare centers. The part of Honduras that we are planning on attending is a rural community, we have travelers from other towns to seek closer medical attention and education. Going to Honduras will not only help the local people of Honduras but will also help me get one step closer and gain experience toward my passion project.

Thank you so much for your help, I truly appreciate it!
Celeste Palma-Zavala