BSN Honors Program

Caylan Anderson was born and raised in Pearland, Texas, and graduated from Glenda Dawson High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from The University of Texas at Austin. Driven by personal experiences with compassionate healthcare providers during difficult moments, she is pursuing a nursing career to become part of the backbone of care, serving as a voice for her patients when they need to be heard most. Caylan is deeply passionate about women's health and is honored to be a part of the BASS program, where she looks forward to working with incarcerated pregnant individuals–a population profoundly deserving of equitable, dignified care. She is excited to apply her bedside support and continue growing into a provider who delivers impactful care both within and beyond the program.

Natalie Casper was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where she graduated from St. Agnes Academy. She went on to attend Texas A&M University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Psychology. Through her coursework, leadership experiences, and research involvement, she developed a strong interest in healthcare, advocacy, and evidence-based practice. She is now pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB).

Natalie chose nursing because she wanted to combine science, compassion, research, and direct patient care. Her background in public health shaped the way she views healthcare, not only as treatment, but also as prevention, education, and advocacy. Her research experiences strengthened her passion for evidence-based practice and helped her see how asking better questions can lead to better patient care. She is especially passionate about women's health, health equity, and helping patients feel heard and supported during vulnerable moments.

Jasmine Lam was born in San Francisco, California, and later moved to Houston, Texas. She graduated from Humble High School, during which she worked as and earned certifications as a Patient Care Technician, Pharmacy Technician, and Certified Nursing Assistant. She then went on as a first-generation student to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Public Health from Texas A&M University.

It was always Jasmine's dream to work in the medical field - one that was initially sparked by her family who recognized her naturally nurturing and compassionate spirit. However, her passion for women's health became deeply personal during her own health journey as an adolescent. Navigating the healthcare system at a young age with parents who struggled with language barriers, she often felt unseen, unsure and alone during her care. It was the nurses who stepped in to provide the voice she didn't yet know how to use for herself that changed everything. Seeing the profound impact of having someone advocate for her when she was at her most vulnerable, Jasmine realized her calling was to be that same empathetic, unwavering voice and steady presence for others.

Through the BASS program, Jasmine looks forward to serving her patients with compassion, integrity, and equity, aiming to bridge healthcare disparities in women's health and be a voice for vulnerable populations.

Zoe Lopez was born and raised in Montgomery, Texas, and graduated from Montgomery High School before earning an Associate of Science degree from Lone Star College Montgomery. Prior to nursing school, she worked as an EMT, where she discovered her passion for patient care and profound human connection. Although she enjoyed emergency medicine, she found herself wanting to remain involved throughout a patient's care, which inspired her to pursue nursing.

Zoe is especially passionate about caring for underserved and underrepresented populations. Some of her most impactful experiences as an EMT occurred in correctional settings, where she saw the importance of making patients feel heard, respected, and cared for without judgment. She believes nursing is about more than treating illness; it is about building trust and showing up for people during vulnerable moments. Through BASS, she hopes to continue developing her critical care skills while serving patients in a unique and impactful environment.

Patrick Onyia was born in Austin and raised in Pflugerville, Texas. He graduated from Pflugerville High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health with a minor in Human Nutrition from the University of Houston. With a background as a caregiver, lifeguard, and physical therapy intern, he strives to use his skills to be a voice for the voiceless and to emphasize the importance of patient care for vulnerable populations. He chose nursing because it allows him to combine clinical skills and solicitude in healthcare. Along with providing patients with physical and emotional support, Patrick loves the idea that nursing offers the chance to continue life-long learning. He values opportunities to expand his knowledge and to learn from his peers. Through BASS, Patrick is drawn to being an advocate and being present for those who may need extra support. He hopes to add to his confidence with patient communication and education, using those skills to treat patients and promote significant changes that will eventually lead to better health outcomes for them.

Namasvi Patel was born and raised in Houston, Texas. She graduated from the Harmony School of Advancement and attended the University of Houston. Her professional background includes serving as a Patient Care Technician as well as gaining clinical exposure through various hospital sites.

Her path to nursing is deeply rooted in her passion to help vulnerable patients making sure they feel seen and heard. This commitment sparked through her leadership in a non-profit assisting vulnerable populations, connecting with patients and their stories in clinical settings, and the personal experience of caring for her grandfather.

She strives to ensure that no patient feels alone or forgotten by the healthcare system. The BASS program provides a unique opportunity for her to build upon the qualities of being an empathetic and compassionate nurse while gaining the knowledge and traits of an advocate when working with the maternal population.

London Powell, was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Pearland, Texas. After graduating from Glenda Dawson High school, she continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a minor in General Business from Sam Houston State University. She currently works as a patient care technician, where she has strengthened her passion for serving others and solidified her commitment to a career in nursing.

London's desire to become a nurse was deeply shaped by her grandfather's cancer journey. He described his nurses as God's very best angels, a sentiment that continues to inspire and guide her path. She is committed to being that same angel, offering compassion, comfort, and unwavering support to every patient and family she encounters.

London's passion for women's health is rooted in both pride and profound respect for the strength, resilience, and complexity of womanhood. As an aspiring labor and delivery nurse, she is especially passionate about maternal health and advocating for equitable, lifesaving care for every mother. She is dedicated to creating spaces where women feel seen, heard, and valued throughout their healthcare experiences. Through the BASS program, she hopes to further her advocacy in maternal health while learning from the experiences of the women she serves, using this experience to become a more empathetic and impactful nurse.

Chioma Ujari is a Houston native who grew up in Sugar Land, TX and attended Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg, TX. While her background has always been rooted in healthcare, her path into nursing took a more unconventional route through public health, epidemiology, epidemiological surveillance, and healthcare informatics. Although she comes from a family of nurses, she initially chose to pursue her passion for public health and health equity. While studying public health at The University of Texas at Austin, with a concentration in social and behavioral sciences, she became deeply interested in the intersection of sociology, race, class, and healthcare disparities. She later earned her Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, further strengthening her focus on population health, disease surveillance, and healthcare systems.

Her transition into healthcare informatics and Epic EHR implementation allowed her to work directly alongside nurses and providers across the country, in settings ranging from operating rooms to rural community health clinics. Through these experiences, Chioma gained a firsthand understanding of the realities of patient care and the critical role nurses play within healthcare teams. That journey ultimately led her organically to nursing, not because it was expected of her, but because she came to fully understand what the profession entails at its core and still knew it was the path she wanted to pursue.

This foundation also directly informs her desire to serve within the BASS Program. Her public health training and commitment to health equity align with addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by incarcerated pregnant individuals, particularly around access to prenatal care, continuity of care, and systemic barriers within correctional health settings.