My fight to promote equity in healthcare
Donation protected
First and foremost I want to thank you for taking the time to check out my Gofundme page!
My Story:
As many of you know I recently graduated with my bachelors degree in Organizational Leadership and Change from College Unbound. Shout out to College Unbound for making sure I achieved this amazing milestone in my life. I graduated with Honors maintaining a 3.64 GPA all while being a mother of two beautiful boys, a partner and working full time.

Before crossing the stage I set out to find where I would go for graduate school... yes, me graduate school hahaha. Growing up I would have never thought I would be able to obtain my bachelors degree much less be able to continue on to my Masters degree.
I applied to a hand full of programs throughout Rhode Island but there was one in particular that I would say a little prayer for every night. Getting into to the program would not only be an amazing opportunity but on a more personal level would validate that I am able and worthy. Growing up in the heart of the West End I didn't go to the best schools and never really developed the skills that I needed to be successful. My senior year I crossed the stage while 7 months pregnant and was sure what my future would consist of. One things for sure, we are the authors of our own stories.
The Decision:
On Wednesday May 29th 2019, I received the letter that could potentially change not only my life but my family's life. I was accepted to Brown Universities Executive Masters of Healthcare Leadership Program!!!!

My Work:
In my work as a community outreach specialist, I have realized that many of my clients who suffer from chronic illnesses live in low income communities. They do not receive the education and quality health care needed in order to be able to carry out a healthy lifestyle. I have witnessed firsthand how providers can pass judgment on their patients only to contribute to the damage the patient has already suffered from past trauma. From failing to provide patients with an interpreter, to simply not returning a phone call, I have seen how many providers become some of the biggest barriers in carrying out the patients care. I firmly believe that one’s zip code should not determine their access to opportunity or success outcomes. Residential segregation is neither just, nor equitable; but it has historically limited individuals in low income communities access to quality healthcare services.
My Critical Challenge at Brown:
I am eager to learn but even more passionate to promote equity within my community as well as be the voice for those who have been silenced for far to long. My critical challenge while at Brown will be focused on disrupting oppressive health care systems by creating a framework to promote culturally competent providers. I seek to work with current Brown providers and medical students. The framework will focus on identity and ask participants to check one's privilege and implicit biases. More importantly, both providers, as well as medical students, will learn through experiential practices. It is crucial that medical professionals are able to feel, see and come in contact with the adversities their patients face on a daily basis in order to have greater compassion and cultural sensitivity. Further, this knowledge will enable them to take ownership and agency of their own professional responsibilities for ending inequity in healthcare. Thus, medical students need to dive into how to tackle the ever-present racial and ethnic biases held by some in the healthcare field and then learn to integrate the culturally competent practices with existing patients. Attributes of being dedicated to the health of my community as well as the wealth of knowledge that I bring from working personally with Rhode Island's most vulnerable community members will assist me in developing the framework needed to promote culturally competent provider practices.
What Is needed:
OK so as you can imagine Brown is not cheap! This program is $92,000 (yikes, I know) but I am looking at it as an investment in my future and the future of our communities. But there is a problem. Many black and brown folks who are able to get into Ivy League schools hit a wall when it comes to paying for it. Brown has been able to provide me with some aid, unfortunately not enough to where I feel I can continue to pursue this great opportunity. But I will not let this chance pass me by!! I have worked WAY too hard for this and I deserve it. With that said I am creating this Gofundme to assist in paying to secure my spot in the program and pay all fee's in order to start this September 2019!
I battled with whether or not I should create this Gofundme but I have faith that you all believe in me as much as I have learned to believe in myself. We need to disrupt the oppressive systems that are in place one institution at a time! and where better to do this than at Brown! Any and all donations are immensely appreciated. Many blessings

In Solidarity,
Vanessa M Vigil
My Story:
As many of you know I recently graduated with my bachelors degree in Organizational Leadership and Change from College Unbound. Shout out to College Unbound for making sure I achieved this amazing milestone in my life. I graduated with Honors maintaining a 3.64 GPA all while being a mother of two beautiful boys, a partner and working full time.
Before crossing the stage I set out to find where I would go for graduate school... yes, me graduate school hahaha. Growing up I would have never thought I would be able to obtain my bachelors degree much less be able to continue on to my Masters degree.
I applied to a hand full of programs throughout Rhode Island but there was one in particular that I would say a little prayer for every night. Getting into to the program would not only be an amazing opportunity but on a more personal level would validate that I am able and worthy. Growing up in the heart of the West End I didn't go to the best schools and never really developed the skills that I needed to be successful. My senior year I crossed the stage while 7 months pregnant and was sure what my future would consist of. One things for sure, we are the authors of our own stories.
The Decision:
On Wednesday May 29th 2019, I received the letter that could potentially change not only my life but my family's life. I was accepted to Brown Universities Executive Masters of Healthcare Leadership Program!!!!
My Work:
In my work as a community outreach specialist, I have realized that many of my clients who suffer from chronic illnesses live in low income communities. They do not receive the education and quality health care needed in order to be able to carry out a healthy lifestyle. I have witnessed firsthand how providers can pass judgment on their patients only to contribute to the damage the patient has already suffered from past trauma. From failing to provide patients with an interpreter, to simply not returning a phone call, I have seen how many providers become some of the biggest barriers in carrying out the patients care. I firmly believe that one’s zip code should not determine their access to opportunity or success outcomes. Residential segregation is neither just, nor equitable; but it has historically limited individuals in low income communities access to quality healthcare services.
My Critical Challenge at Brown:
I am eager to learn but even more passionate to promote equity within my community as well as be the voice for those who have been silenced for far to long. My critical challenge while at Brown will be focused on disrupting oppressive health care systems by creating a framework to promote culturally competent providers. I seek to work with current Brown providers and medical students. The framework will focus on identity and ask participants to check one's privilege and implicit biases. More importantly, both providers, as well as medical students, will learn through experiential practices. It is crucial that medical professionals are able to feel, see and come in contact with the adversities their patients face on a daily basis in order to have greater compassion and cultural sensitivity. Further, this knowledge will enable them to take ownership and agency of their own professional responsibilities for ending inequity in healthcare. Thus, medical students need to dive into how to tackle the ever-present racial and ethnic biases held by some in the healthcare field and then learn to integrate the culturally competent practices with existing patients. Attributes of being dedicated to the health of my community as well as the wealth of knowledge that I bring from working personally with Rhode Island's most vulnerable community members will assist me in developing the framework needed to promote culturally competent provider practices.
What Is needed:
OK so as you can imagine Brown is not cheap! This program is $92,000 (yikes, I know) but I am looking at it as an investment in my future and the future of our communities. But there is a problem. Many black and brown folks who are able to get into Ivy League schools hit a wall when it comes to paying for it. Brown has been able to provide me with some aid, unfortunately not enough to where I feel I can continue to pursue this great opportunity. But I will not let this chance pass me by!! I have worked WAY too hard for this and I deserve it. With that said I am creating this Gofundme to assist in paying to secure my spot in the program and pay all fee's in order to start this September 2019!
I battled with whether or not I should create this Gofundme but I have faith that you all believe in me as much as I have learned to believe in myself. We need to disrupt the oppressive systems that are in place one institution at a time! and where better to do this than at Brown! Any and all donations are immensely appreciated. Many blessings
In Solidarity,
Vanessa M Vigil
Organiser
Vanessa Vigil
Organiser
Providence, RI