Tracey Saint-Louis

Tracey Saint-Louis’ journey into nursing began with a personal loss that shaped her passion for helping others. “I wanted to make a difference,” she said. “My mom died from a treatable cancer. The lack of care from her provider was very disheartening.”

She was also moved by the number of people in her community without insurance using the emergency room for regular medical care. “I knew that by becoming a nurse I could help by offering wider access to health and preventative care.”

Tracey, a student in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing to Doctor of Nursing Practice (BSN–DNP) program at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, is expected to graduate in August 2027. She already holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the college, along with a Master’s in Social Work.

She credits several former colleagues who are Family Nurse Practitioners with shaping her professional development.

“They were selfless, considerate, and went above and beyond to serve patients who are uninsured,” said Tracey. “They shared their knowledge and brought out the best in me by recognizing my strengths.”

College of Nursing faculty members Dr. Tracian Kelly, Dr. Katherine Chadwell and Dr. Deborah Hain are among mentors who encouraged her to grow and reach her potential, she said.

With a DNP degree, she hopes it will expand her ability to help others. “A doctorate in nursing will allow me to serve more clients within the community. I will be able to provide screening to more patients for preventative care,” she added.

After graduation, Tracey plans to take her Family Nurse Practitioner certification exam and begin working with uninsured patients and those who face barriers to care, continuing her mission to make health care more accessible to those who need it most.