Kelly Garcia arrived in the U.S. from Colombia during the Christmas season in 2023 after finishing medical school. With a devastating event that put her family in danger, she knew she had to change her path to keep herself safe.

Consulting with her academic advisors, she made the difficult decision to step away from her dream of being a psychiatrist in her country as she had planned.

Although she knew she’d have to validate her credentials in the U.S. with this transition, it was best to join her family and evaluate her options.

Arriving in the United States she worked to improve her English skills and immediately began studying and preparing for the board exam to transfer/validate her medical degree from Colombia.

Working creative side jobs to pay her bills, she studied every minute she had available to enhance her vocabulary skills related to the exams and to improve her quality of life. With English as the critical component to pass the two challenging exams, she persevered and moved ahead.

Kelly speaks in detail about the many challenges it takes for immigrants to earn their necessary credentials in the U.S. to continue the work they felt called to do. The spectrum includes developing necessary literacy and language skills, meeting expensive financial demands for multiple exam fees, to creating and fostering a professional community from its basic foundation. For most, this is impossible to pursue. For many immigrants they land in positions for which they are overqualified and their previous career or education becomes a sad and distant memory.

The future Dr. Kelly Garcia now awaits a match for her residency which will begin next summer. In the meantime, she continues her preparation and study while working as a researcher and bilingual practitioner in a local mental health clinic.

Dr. Millie Hepburn is an Associate Professor in the Davis & Henley College of Nursing at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. Upon meeting Millie, you quickly feel her energy and enthusiasm for her work in the healthcare field. With her many publications, grants, service work and projects in motion, it is her passion and leadership for cultivating understanding and curiosity for the next generation of nurses that is most impressive and prevalent. Her statement, “Diversity in nursing makes patient care safer” is the seed she plants with students each day, impacting nursing students to understand that who they will take care of may be a person from a culture with a native language, skin tone, and heritage much different than their own. Her office is filled with signs to build self efficacy with students, but also to build community among them.

Dr. Hepburn’s advanced degrees and vast experience speak for themselves, but it is her personal commitment to caring for others that is at her core. The youngest of 6 children, as a child she hoped to be a veterinarian, but scholarships weren’t enough to fund becoming a vet. However, nursing school felt like the perfect fit for her and she never looked back. Working in various hospitals in both urban and rural environments, she continued to flourish in professional and academic arenas. Her curiosity and research extended beyond the walls of the traditional classroom and clinical settings to working with Native Americans and learning about their healing practices. In her interview she speaks candidly about her experience as a nurse and supervisor, but her real passion came when she began to impact students preparing for their professional practice. Her deep understanding of first-generation college students and the many challenges they juggle makes her the perfect candidate to work as the Associate Director with the accelerated students who are on the fast track to complete their nursing degree. Her firm but empathetic approach to their preparation is magical as she builds a community of inquisitive learners and focused practitioners. With a recent grant to purchase a virtual reality training system, she creates opportunities for students to immerse in diverse settings broadening their experience and preparation for their future in healthcare. She routinely seeks grants to support her students through their educational pursuits, as she knows first hand about the financial burdens of getting a college degree.

In addition to her work preparing the next generation of nurses, she engages in research and serves on a variety of boards. Her focus is on stroke patients and promoting neurological care, but she is also deeply involved in supporting addiction programs and advocating for domestic violence victims.

When sitting with Sylvia Barchue, you instantly realize you are in the presence of a confident woman, a real go-getter. As a young girl, she knew she wanted to be a nurse. With her caring nature and career goals in mind, Sylvia was just 19 years old when she left her native country, the beautiful island of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, to attend nursing school in the UK. She lived with her aunt prior to attending nursing school. Sylvia successfully trained in a rigorous 3-year program. On completion she decided she wanted to specialize in critical care and completed a yearlong postgraduate training leading to critical care certification. It was a natural fit for Sylvia.

On completing her nursing program and critical care certification, she was offered a position in America. In the early 1980’s at the young age of 31, she moved to Arkansas to help in the completion of a new hospital where she designed the intensive care unit, commencing a new chapter of her career. In retrospect she credits her arrival in Arkansas as being the best place of entry for a nurse in the USA as it being the place with the best patient advocacy at the time, she was motivated to get started in a career here, but on the birth of her son she realized that raising her son as a black man in the South could bring more challenges so she moved east to be closer to family whose support would be pivotal to her success. She shares the various obstacles she managed as a newly arrived immigrant having worked professionally outside of the U.S. while navigating a new culture as a black woman.

It was this move that would launch her career with the VA- Veterans Administration. Working in the Bronx, NY, she began to build collaborative relationships with her colleagues and held her staff accountable to professional standards. She earned respect and moved up the ranks quickly establishing a stellar reputation. Sylvia had a vision, and her creative leadership brought new programs to the VA and ultimately, to benefit their patients. Her impact was uncontainable as she expanded her career into research, working on numerous publications with doctors and nurses who revered her opinions regarding patient care. She retired after 38 years at the VA in the Bronx but not without making last impact and imprinting her love and compassion to not only the patients, families, but to the 450 staff persons she supervised daily and at times the over 2000 when she was the sole executive on station. She expresses deep gratitude for her professional training, but attributes her successful career to the professional relationships she cultivated on her journey as a nurse, nurse supervisor, administrator, and hospital executive as well as the love and support her family gave her along the way.

Fernando Garcia left Honduras on foot at just 11 years old with his older cousin. Now, 13 years later he’s opening up about his journey and how it changed the trajectory of his life.

He arrived to the border of the U.S. escorted by “coyote people” that his mother paid for so he could join her. She had left her beloved country, Honduras, when he was five years old so she could provide for him from afar seeing no other opportunities for growth in her homeland. Unfortunately, she has never been able to return to her country. But, she knew bringing her young brilliant son to America would be life changing for him. Fernando was a bright young student and his teachers saw potential in his schoolwork, natural curiosity, and persistence to learn.

He speaks openly about arriving and entering school not knowing English and not having access to ESL in his school. Like many students, he quietly observed his classmates and students learning about language and culture from their every move. He later taught himself English because once entering middle school he felt the teachers were going too slow for his learning pace. He found his natural athletic ability in soccer would open doors socially with his peers as well as position him to be recognized by high school coaches.

Fernando shares how a guidance counselor experience was pivotal to his academic journey and helped to foster a pathway for his success.

Now, years later, he’s a proud graduate of a prestigious university where he also played club soccer for their D1 team. Looking forward, he has completed the LSAT’s, the challenging entrance exam to law school, where he intends to become an immigration attorney to help a population he can authentically relate to. His quiet demeanor portrays a compassionate heart rich with love and faith, while at the core his inner strength and resilience are reminders of his life-changing journey to a new land to join his beloved mother.

Claudia Connor is a deeply committed non-profit leader and activist sharing her passion and experience in this riveting interview. For decades, Claudia has held leadership positions with agencies diligently working to create direct service programs and resources that impact our community members. Currently, she is the US Regional Representative with Church World Service, a faith-based organization transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster. Claudia has also held executive titles with CT Institute for Refugees & Immigrants (CIRI) and Save the Children.

Claudia was a former criminal defense attorney working with Legal Aid in NYC with the Prisoners Rights Project, and is no stranger to defending civil rights and social justice. Her passion grew from her progressive and activist parents who modeled strength and resistance while she was growing up. She shares an experience while in college at UNC Chapel Hill that influenced her decision to join a student social justice group which ultimately changed the trajectory of her career.

After years living abroad in Asia and Africa which ultimately deepened her viewpoint and commitment to social justice, she informs the listener of the many changes and necessary adaptations that have occurred in 2025 since federal funds have been challenging to depend on and sustain. Fundraising for CWS relies on communities, private foundations, and collaborations to engage in events like “crop walks” to help raise mission-critical funds for programming and services that directly benefit thousands of people while raising awareness about hunger and poverty. Her hopeful and positive outlook is her guiding light along with the inspiration of her colleagues and community despite the various challenges that percolate when leading a team during uncertain times.

Krishna arrived in the U.S. from Haiti just over 2 years ago full of hope, wonder and promise. With a temporary protected status she finally felt safe and ready to take on new goals and challenges to make a life and career for herself. Leaving behind her aunt, brother, and cousin in Haiti, and her mother living in Suriname, she saw a future ahead of her full of opportunity and safety. She ached for their touch and to see them in person but thankfully technology bridged the distance and inspired her to persist while providing strength on her darkest days.

In the U.S. she has created a life full of education, hard work, and friendship. Her first initiative was to learn English so she immediately registered for classes and attended adult education knowing this was as essential key to create independence. While going to classes 4 days a week, she also worked full time at a local grocery store. She was committed to her goals and deeply grateful to the many opportunities she was able to take advantage of. Adult education classes offered English, but also helped create a new community of friends along with a network of teachers and administrators who supported her along the way. She successfully graduated from that program in June 2025.

She knew learning English was just the start to build her future, but simultaneously she felt called to a career in healthcare. Krishna enrolled in a Certified Nurse Aide certification course at a local community college where she engaged in lectures, labs, ESL class for medical curriculum support, and clinicals providing experience at the hospital and a local nursing home. After much hard work and study, she successfully passed the exam and is now certified. While continuing to look for a position at a nursing home, she is grateful for her work and the opportunities to improve her communication skills.

With Krishna’s internal motivation to succeed there is no doubt she will continue to persevere and keep moving forward wherever she may live. She is committed to her personal and professional goals and despite the challenges she remains faithful and positive about her future.

Dr. Nupsie-flore Exantus moved from Haiti to the United States when she was in 6th grade at the age of 11. It was a cold Christmas Day when she arrived to join her two older sisters who were here prior to her arrival. The only English she knew was how to say was “Good Morning.”

She was quickly enrolled into a new arrivals program at school and had many immigrant friends. She purposely immersed herself in learning English trying hard not to fall into speaking Creole thinking it would set her off track. She was connected to another Haitian student who was helpful and then met her mentor, Ms. Vialla, who she is still in contact with and impacted by to this day. She speaks openly and honestly about trying to find her way in a new place, often feeling lost.

Dr. Exantus is a UCONN alum but didn’t stay with her original plan of study to be an engineer. She felt it would be a difficult road as a black female and although her brother is an engineer and her 4 sisters are all nurses, she chose her own path focusing on social work. Now, as a doctor of Social Work, she is the Director of Middle School Programs at REACH Prep, a transformative educational program for high-achieving, yet underserved, children of color from 5th grade through college. She works diligently to transform their learning experience while providing essential support to the entire family.

Additionally, she is the proud founder of Heart & Purpose, a nonprofit program that promotes education and economic empowerment for students from marginalized communities. Their focus is on young girls in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, as well as young females of color in lower Fairfield County and Westchester County, New York. Listening to her story while thinking about how her impact is affecting a new generation of young black females is nothing short of eye opening and breathtaking.

Joanne Jean is a first-generation American whose parents emigrated from Haiti in the early 1990’s. In this first episode of our special series, Voices from Haiti, Joanne shares personal details about her journey being raised in a Haitian household and how she challenged the traditions along the way. As the first-born child and the eldest daughter, the responsibilities were heavy at times, and required her to be an “adult” a bit earlier than her peers. She often had to translate English and interpret financial statements, and while her friends were having sleepovers, she wasn’t allowed to go. Nevertheless, at the core of her upbringing, her parents raised her with connections to her Haitian culture deeply rooted in church, education and love for family. Joanne opens up about correcting culture while attempting to educate her parents about U.S. customs, and the various feelings and reactions that often accompanied her perceived defiance.

As a proud graduate of Quinnipiac University, Joanne speaks about her education journey and the high expectations from her parents while they gently supported her along the way. Currently, she is a small business consultant and Program Coordinator, and it’s her upbringing and cultural awareness, along with her intercultural competence, that guide her impactful work. She credits her parents and family for her deep love and appreciation for the Haitian community she has successfully grown up in.

Kathi Meding is no beginner when it comes to service to others. In fact, her life has been embedded in finding agencies and a career that fits with her desire to help.

In her years as a young mother she was the Director of Health & Fitness at a YMCA in New Jersey and while traveling on a trip to Africa representing the Y, she was contacted and offered the Executive Director position. She accepted, and upon her return, she never looked back while moving the YMCA in Ridgewood forward to new bounds. Throughout her long tenure, she witnessed and led her team through many changes, continuously adapting to the needs of the community and fostering agency partnerships along the way. She humbly discusses the board of directors she worked closely with, sharing that their individual and collective perspective kept the Y’s mission at the forefront for all decision making.

She retired in 2010 but didn’t sit still for long as she embarked on teaching English to adult language learners focused on preparing immigrants for the U.S. Citizenship test.

In her interview she shares heartfelt feelings of pride for the many adult students she has built relationships with through her tutoring while watching and encouraging their pathways to personal and professional success.

In addition, she is a trained Hospice volunteer working with terminally ill patients supporting them with their health journey. She builds relationships with each person based on their needs and embraces them with her compassionate approach to care. Kathi also volunteers with The Village in Hartford, CT working to build a better future for children.

In her storytelling, you’ll hear her quick wit, warm sense of humor and passionate approach to service is nothing short of extraordinary.

Edgar Bernabe is a first-generation Mexican American who has been balancing between his cultural roots from his parents and his birthplace for his whole life. As the youngest of 3 children, he had strong role models in his family when he was young. Growing up in his neighborhood he was a happy go lucky kid, always playing outside, watching cartoons, and living 2 different worlds. Edgar has always felt different because of his background, everyone always had to say who he was.

He had most always felt included, but when he attended school is where he experienced bullying, exclusion and strong words from others that later made him realize he wasn’t completely accepted.

Motivated by his father’s expectations to pursue a college degree, along with his mother’s unwavering support, he has excelled in many areas both at work and in education.

A self-proclaimed “jack of all trades”, Edgar has found his place as an entrepreneur and is an expert in cocktail design. Along with his wife, Alexandra, they have built a business focused on hospitality and culinary education while excelling as experts in creating specialty pizzas and teaching. Their compatibility and partnership is what inspires Edgar to have strong boundaries protecting their days off to enjoy time together and with family. While others may be chasing dollar signs to get ahead, Edgar knows his happiness and success lies in the relationships he holds close to his heart.