At Avant Healthcare Professionals, we believe in the power of future healthcare leaders and the vital role nurses play in shaping healthier communities. That’s why we’re committed to supporting nursing students in the pivotal final year of their program through the Dream. Become. Inspire. Nursing Scholarship. This scholarship provides tuition coverage and a stipend for living expenses, so financial challenges don’t hold them back from reaching their full potential. More than just financial support, the scholarship is designed to be a transformative experience, offering leadership development, community engagement opportunities, and one-on-one mentorship to empower students both personally and professionally. We are proud to have awarded over 200 scholarships to students in the Philippines and around the world who simply needed the right support at a critical moment in their journey.
Among the first to receive the scholarship in the Philippines is Danica, a nursing student whose quiet strength and unwavering determination reflect the heart of the scholarship’s mission.
Danica, an only child raised by supportive parents, worked tirelessly to pursue her nursing degree at Philippine Advent College. As financial struggles grew, her dream began to fade, until she was awarded the Dream. Become. Inspire. Nursing Scholarship.
“I was overwhelmed. I couldn’t even speak. I wanted to shout, cry, and laugh all at the same time. Thank you, Avant, for choosing me. Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for the life-changing opportunity!”
When Danica first joined the program and began her mentorship sessions with Avant’s Global Impact team, she spoke with a soft, hesitant voice. There was uncertainty in her words; not from lack of passion, but from not yet knowing the strength she carried inside.
“Every time I was asked to share how I was doing, it helped me reflect, express, and slowly grow into someone more confident. Those calls didn’t just help me improve my communication skills, they reminded me of the values I was raised with. They grounded me.”
Over time, there was a powerful transformation. Danica began mentoring junior students, taking initiative during clinical rotations, and consistently received positive feedback from her peers and mentors for her efficiency and compassion. That praise gradually became confidence that turned into leadership.
Yet, Danica never sought the spotlight. Naturally soft-spoken and a bit reserved, she admits that socializing doesn’t always come easy, but she is someone willing to step beyond her comfort zone for something bigger than herself.
Recently, Danica bravely traveled to Manila to volunteer at Manila Central University’s 120th Anniversary Community Outreach Medical Mission where she served alongside many volunteers, students, and healthcare professionals to provide checkups and care for hundreds of members of the community. It was more than a volunteer experience; it was a testament to how much she has grown.
From a quiet voice filled with self-doubt to a graduate ready to embrace her calling, Danica’s story is a reminder that confidence doesn’t come all at once; it grows with every act of courage, every kind word, and every opportunity to rise.
“I can truly say I enjoyed my final year as a nursing student. You didn’t just make my dream come true; you made me feel that I am seen, capable, and trusted. I’m truly proud to say I am an Avant Scholar.
