Research has shown that individuals that have access to a mental health provider who shares their cultural, ethnic, or racial identity have better outcomes. So when the Mental Health team identified this was a challenge for their own practice, we looked to our community to help provide a solution. Donors stepped up to provide funding to establish the BIPOC Mental Health Scholarship with the goal of supporting a more diverse mental health workforce in the future.
North Memorial Health Foundation is happy to announce the 2023 BIPOC Mental Health Academic Scholarship recipient: Saturia Cappard!
Saturia Cappard came to the United States from Liberia as a child and has shown extreme dedication and grace in the face of adversity. After putting her dream career on hold to focus on her family and raising her son, she now is pursuing an advanced degree to become a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, which she expects to achieve in 2024.
“I believe I can make a positive impact by becoming an African American mental health provider,” Saturia says of her inspiration for pursuing a career in mental health. “I can educate my community about mental health and reduce stigma.” She has already demonstrated her outstanding commitment to serve our community with her experience and skills.
Saturia began her career in mental health care as a Registered Nurse on the inpatient Mental Health Observation Unit at North Memorial Health Hospital when it opened seven years ago. She has worked as both a floor nurse and a charge nurse, serving individuals with a variety of mental health needs. She has also cared for inmates at Hennepin County Jail suffering from mental health issues and substance use disorder.
Saturia appreciates the opportunity her work offers to meet people from different backgrounds and provide them with culturally responsive care. She says, “Hearing people’s stories and experiences has taught me to be more compassionate and open-minded. Everyone deserves quality mental health care, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background. My goal is to provide affordable and accessible care to individuals and families in need and to promote mental health education and awareness within the community.”
We are honored to help Saturia achieve her goal of providing this much needed service to our community. Congratulations, Saturia!
About the BIPOC Mental Health Scholarship
The BIPOC Mental Health Scholarship is an annual award provided by the North Memorial Health Foundation to support the health of the diverse community we serve. This scholarship provides tuition assistance for students of color enrolled in mental health graduate programs and is sustained through gifts from donors. We thank them for their generosity and partnership.
Learn more, apply or support the BIPOC Mental Health Academic Scholarship.