Hello, Global Disease Biology students and faculty! My name is Mica Zimmerman and I was a member of the 2018 graduating class. I am currently a nursing student at Oregon Health & Science University and am halfway through my 15-month accelerated BSN program. In September I will take the NCLEX, and then immediately go into my 3-year doctorate program specializing in Nurse-Midwifery. During my senior year at Davis, I was volunteering as a birth doula at Dignity Health in Woodland, which I absolutely recommend for any students interested in maternal and child health. I felt extremely prepared to go into an accelerated nursing program because of my education from Davis and the support from the GDB faculty. The GDB major expects a lot out of its students, you’ll feel challenged and overworked sometimes, but because of this, you’ll feel so much more confident at your first job or your first day of graduate school. I am an extremely dedicated and hard-working student, and I fully believe that Davis and the GDB major are responsible for this quality (one that I am very proud of). My advice for you all is to take advantage of the resources and knowledge around you, take different/unique classes, talk with your TAs, and go to office hours!! I had a meeting with one of my professors during my senior year to seek career advice since graduation was rapidly approaching. I listed the professional qualities that would quantify my idealistic dream job, explaining how I wanted to devote my life to maternal and child health while working in communities that are traditionally overlooked, in hopes of improving reproductive justice. This professor looked at me and said, “you’re going to be a midwife”, and here I am writing to you all as a Midwifery student!

At OHSU, I am learning every day how to become a culturally, racially, and politically competent health care provider, one that will advocate and support both social and reproductive justice. I am learning that as a midwife, the care we provide patients during their reproductive years impacts not only them but has the power to create dynamic intergenerational change. Davis and the GDB major gave me the confidence and foundation I needed to dedicate my life to moving midwifery into the forefront of reproductive care, and for this, I am forever grateful. 

If you have any questions about accelerating nursing programs, midwifery, starting nursing school during a pandemic, or OHSU- please don’t hesitate to email me at micazimm8@gmail.com.