In this episode, Dimity Prenger reflects on her transition into nursing and how her graduate studies are helping her serve her community. She discusses finding her path, embracing new opportunities, and growing into her leadership voice.

From his roots in Ghana to his nursing career in the U.S., David Antwi’s journey is driven by compassion and service. Through his work, studies, and YouTube channel Healthcare Beyond Scrubs, he’s redefining what it means to care—empowering nurses, uplifting communities, and inspiring others to make a difference. 

Dr. Lucas McIntyre, Medical Director of MultiCare’s Partial Hospitalization Program, is redefining how communities support adolescent mental health. Through compassion, innovation, and collaboration, he’s helping young people and families find stability, connection, and hope in the face of serious mental health challenges. 

Dr. Weichao Yuwen, Associate Professor at UW Tacoma, explores how technology and human connection intersect in caregiving and healthcare. Her podcast highlights stories of innovation, empathy, and the ways digital tools can support families and improve well-being.

Peter Mendy is a graduate of UW Tacoma’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and Master of Nursing (MN) programs. Originally considering teaching or medicine, he chose nursing after discovering its alignment with his values and desire to make a meaningful impact. Now Senior Director of Operations at Kaiser Permanente, Peter credits the MN program with sharpening his leadership, decision-making, and community-focused care skills. He praises nursing as a fulfilling, versatile career that empowers professionals to lead, advocate, and drive change across healthcare systems.

Holly Wetzel is a graduate of UW Tacoma’s Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Leadership (BAHCL) program and a two-term student body president. Inspired by her experience as a patient transporter during the pandemic, Holly shifted her focus from clinical care to systemic change. At UW Tacoma, she led major reforms in student government, launching data-driven Task Forces that addressed food insecurity, campus safety, and wellness. Holly credits the BAHCL program for helping her develop strategic leadership skills and plans to pursue a career in public and nonprofit sectors focused on health equity and systems change.

 Dr. Sharon Laing is a faculty member in UW Tacoma’s School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership, drawn to the campus by its mission and diverse student body. Trained as a health psychologist, she holds a Ph.D. from Howard University and completed postdoctoral work at Rutgers and the UW School of Public Health. Her research focuses on community health, healthcare worker well-being, and health disparities. Dr. Laing is deeply involved in student success through teaching, mentoring, and leading fieldwork and research opportunities in the Healthcare Leadership program. 

Don Minhas is a graduate of UW Tacoma’s Bachelor of Arts in Healthcare Leadership (BAHCL) program. His fieldwork and informatics training helped him land his first role at Kaiser Permanente, where he was later promoted to trainer and backup lead. Now pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) at UW Seattle, Don has worked on health disparities research with Fred Hutch and will soon intern with Valley Medical Center’s process improvement team. He hopes to mentor future BAHCL students and pursue a leadership role in healthcare.

Shallae Hobbs is the Director of Health Services for the Tacoma Public Schools. She oversees a team of about 58 RNs and LPNs that serve students throughout the Tacoma School District. Shallae earned her Master of Nursing from the School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership (SNHCL) and Program Administrator Certificate at UW Tacoma. She is also a member of SNHCL’s Clinical and Affiliate Faculty. Shallae talks about her Master of Nursing program experience and the work she is doing within the community.

Dr. Patsy Maloney is a Teaching Professor at the UW Tacoma School of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership. Motivated by the promise of an education, Dr. Maloney joined the Army at 18. The Army promised a scholarship and a salary. Patsy thought she would do Army nursing temporarily, but it ended up being a perfect fit for her, and the Army honored its promise, so she stayed in the Army for 24 years. For 20 of those years, she was a nurse. In this podcast, Dr. Maloney shares her story and insights with us.