NIH Awards Scholarship, Research Job to FSU College of Nursing Student

After she graduates from The Florida State University College of Nursing, senior Safichia Chew hopes to study health disparities in the minority community, particularly among newborns. Now, she’s a big step closer to that goal: The National Institutes of Health has named her a Scholar in its prestigious Undergraduate Scholarship Program.

Admission to the NIH program is highly competitive. This year, Chew is one of only 13 Scholars for the 2009-2010 academic year, selected from more than 250 undergraduate applicants nationwide.

As a UGSP Scholar, Chew will receive financial assistance, up to $20,000 if needed, for her final year at Florida State and, after she graduates next May with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a paid summer position as a research trainee at the NIH, followed by at least one year of further employment and research training there.

“Both as a nurse and a researcher, I want my work to help make lives better on a global scale,” said Chew. “With that goal in mind, I’m excited about the excellent clinical training I’ll be getting at FSU this year and thrilled about the amazing opportunities I’ll have, starting next summer, to learn and grow professionally at the National Institutes of Health.”

Being named a UGSP Scholar isn’t the first time that the NIH has made a lasting impression on Chew, 20, and her family.

“My younger cousin was very ill when she was nine years old,” said Chew, a native of Miramar, Fla. “My aunt and uncle took

her to every doctor and hospital to which they were referred in South Florida, but the doctors couldn’t diagnose her. Eventually, my cousin was referred to the NIH, where she was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disorder, and began her treatment. I was in middle school at that time. Until then, I knew nothing about the NIH. But I quickly realized what a profound impact it was having on my family and, ever since, I’ve wanted to find a way to work there.”

Chew’s long-term goals include pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing, followed by more research, possibly on mental disorders in children.

Meanwhile, her undergraduate training at Florida State is laying the groundwork. A rotation last year at one of Tallahassee’s Head Start programs introduced Chew to clinical experience. She and her College of Nursing peers performed health assessments on children that included physicals, hearing tests and developmental screenings.

“This young nurse has demonstrated an early career commitment to evidence-based practice, understanding that research is integral to quality health outcomes,” said FSU College of Nursing Dean Lisa Plowfield. “We feel fortunate and proud that Safichia is paving a pathway for our other student nurses in areas of research that will help to change lives."

The FSU College of Nursing is dedicated to building and offering state-of-the-art programs with a special focus on meeting the critical healthcare needs of the underserved, particularly in poor, rural areas of the Southeast. Visit the Web site to learn more.