I am deeply honored to be one of the recipients of the Billi Odegaard Nursing Scholarship. My nationality is Tatar which is a small ethnic group in Russia. In 2013, I made the life-changing decision to move to the United States, and after over a decade in Oregon, I proudly became a U.S. citizen. Today, I call this country my home, where I live with my husband and three young sons, ages four, seven and nine.

My goal of becoming a nurse first emerged in 2014 when I started to work part-time as a Russian Health Care interpreter, where I continue to work. In 2021 I became a Qualified Russian Health Care Interpreter in the state of Oregon. I assist clients with language barriers in multiple inpatient and outpatient settings. One of the most memorable experiences during my work was when I had the opportunity to interpret for a doctor at OHSU, explaining complex genetic information to a concerned parent who was struggling to understand her child’s condition.

In January 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I joined Legacy Meridian Park Hospital's Environmental Services Department. This experience further solidified my commitment to healthcare, as I saw first-hand the impact that dedicated individuals can have during a crisis.

In September 2022, I expanded my skills by becoming a certified Labor Doula. This, combined with the knowledge I gained from a "Death and Dying" course at Clackamas Community College, allowed me to support a mother through the heartbreaking experience of delivering a stillborn child. As a future nurse, I aim to bring calm and support to families during such critical moments.

My ultimate goal is to specialize in labor and delivery, where I hope to make a meaningful impact on new mothers and their babies. My ability to speak Russian will also enable me to help new immigrants feel more at ease in the hospital environment.

This scholarship has given me the incredible opportunity to focus more on my education and less on financial concerns. It has relieved a significant burden from my family, allowing me to concentrate on gaining the solid foundation I need to succeed in the nursing profession.