Only about 4% of the world’s population holds a doctoral degree. Palestinians comprise roughly 0.18% of the global population.

I have the privilege of being both.

Not because of where I started, but because of the opportunities, mentors, challenges, and unwavering belief that education should always be used in service of others.

As a Palestinian, a veteran, a nurse, and now a doctoral graduate, I carry every one of those identities with pride. They remind me that diversity strengthens healthcare, research, leadership, and emergency preparedness. Our different perspectives help us ask better questions, build more inclusive systems, and ultimately improve outcomes for the communities we serve.

This degree was never about adding letters after my name. It represents a commitment to lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and preparing the next generation of nurses and responders. Whether through humanitarian response, disaster nursing, public health, global health, research, or education, my goal has always been the same: leave the profession, and the world, a little better than I found it.

For every young Palestinian, every woman in healthcare, every veteran transitioning into a new chapter, and everyone who has ever wondered if they belong in rooms where decisions are made—you do.

Your voice matters.
Your perspective matters.
Your representation matters.

I’m grateful for everyone who has supported this journey, and I’m excited for what comes next. The work is just beginning.

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