Meet Our 2025 Scholarship Recipients
The Lois Price Spratlen Foundation is honored to present scholarship awards to seven psychiatric ARNP students in 2025.
Jessica Ang — Seattle University
As the daughter of a psychiatrist who served immigrant and low-income communities, Jessica witnessed the transformative power of culturally responsive care. That experience inspired her to “promote healing through inclusion, advocacy, and evidence-based practice.”
A faculty member wrote, “Jessica is an advocate for her patients, believing in the importance of meeting patients where they are and assessing their needs through a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive perspective that acknowledges the systemic challenges and barriers they face in our society.”
Habibo Bario — University of Washington
Habibo came to Seattle from Samalia through a refugee resettlement program. Today, she gives back by volunteering at a resettlement office, providing mental health talks in Somali and Swahili at mosques and community centers, and helping elders navigate the complex health care system.
“One of Habibo’s attributes is her commitment to advocacy and work with stigmatized populations,” wrote a faculty member. “In our clinical seminar, Habibo brought a thoughtful and trauma informed approach to our discussions of substance use disorders, providing insights into her clinical setting.”
Christina Buckles — Washington State University, Tri-Cities
Christina wants to serve communities in Eastern Washington as a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Her appreciation for the needs of rural communities stems from her work as a WSU mental health clinical instructor, commuting to four rural psychiatric clinical sites, a daily drive of 250 miles.
“Christina has the passion and drive that we look for in future providers,” wrote a faculty member. “She has a passion for suicide prevention and traumatic brain injury recovery, with a very holistic view of recovery that includes social support, access to resources, and individualized treatment strategies.”
Gabriela Cunanan — University of Washington
Her experience growing up in Manila and witnessing the health care challenges in the U.S. drives Gabriela in her class and volunteer work, whether organizing mobile clinics through the Red Cross Youth Council in the Philippines, providing acute psychiatric care in Seattle, or participating in Puget Sound Medic Collective.
“Gabriela brings a valuable blend of bedside experience and leadership insight into her work,” wrote a faculty member. “[She] understands that public health is not confined by borders - it is a shared calling, rooted in justice.”
Michelle Martinez — Washington State University, Tri-Cities
Michelle’s childhood experience growing up in a low-income household as one of six children to two migrant parents shaped her commitment to serve those in need.
“I believe in the transformative power of mental health care for those whose lives have been shaped by systemic disadvantage,” she wrote. Michelle lives this commitment as an RN at a critical access hospital in Pasco, serving a primarily Hispanic, low-income, and Spanish-speaking population.
Ezinne Ndibeshe — Seattle University
In addition to her studies, Ezinne serves as a peer mentor for incoming students and as a member of the student DEI advisory board. Her volunteer work reflects her personal journey as a daughter of Nigerian immigrants, which shaped her understanding of cultural identity, stigma, and access to care. “Mental health was rarely named in my community, though its presence was deeply felt.”
A faculty member noted Ezinne’s dual-degree pursuit as a Certified Nurse Midwife and PMHNP as exemplary of “her dedication to serving immigrant, BIPOC, and perinatal populations.”
Thanks to our Scholarship Committee members for reviewing applications and selecting our scholars: Elaine Walsh (Chair), Christina Chacon, Laura Frantz, and Carol Kottwitz.