With the help from staff at the , Battle has accepted an elective program at Muhimbili National Hospital in Tanzania. She will spend her time in the maternity, pediatrics and emergency medicine departments for six months.

Battle knew she wanted to work as a nurse in another country after studying abroad in 2018.

Caretaking, she says, comes naturally.

“I grew up in a large family and helped my mom with my younger siblings. I love babies and wanted to be able to do something that allowed me to do the things that make me truly happy,” Battle said. “Doing my own research and getting some advice from a mentor of mine brought me to the conclusion that midwifery was exactly what I wanted. Supporting and serving women during the process of bringing life into the world is amazing.”

Battle said her goal is to become a certified nurse midwife and open her own practice in Louisville for women of the immigrant population and Black women.

“I want to be able to provide care to these women that is appropriate, accessible, and what they deserve. I eventually want to open a practice in Tanzania,” Battle said.

Battle is a Woodford R. Porter Scholar and previously served as president of the Black Student Nurses Association and as a Diversity Student Ambassador for admissions.

Adrianne Kelly contributed to this story. 

Since high school, Brown has been networking and connecting with other nursing students, and has taken advantage of a number of leadership opportunities at UofL. 

Brown has been a member (and, this year president) of the Black Student Nurses Association, SGA’s Student Council, the undergraduate research scholar program and more. 

“I’ve learned how to be able to delegate, how to prioritize, how to deal with tough situations and adversity here. I think it’s going to build me to be a good nurse and a good person in general,” she said. 

Brown graduates in May 2017 as a Porter Scholar, undergraduate research scholar and Nursing Student Council member. More of her story is below.

Hayley Kappes contributed to this story; video by Brad Knoop.