Alexus Copes

Background

About Alexus Copes

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.” ― Maya Angelou Growing up in a home with 3 generations - my parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents cultivated in me a nurturing spirit from an early age. 🫶 It was there that I developed a profound love for caring for others - a passion that would shape my future. As a first-generation college student, two compelling career paths beckoned me: becoming an educator and pursuing medicine. As a natural nurturer, both directions strongly called to me. Throughout my academic journey, I have been fortunate to be guided by exceptional teachers who left an indelible mark on me, inspiring me to become an educator. After graduation, I joined Teach for America and taught for 6 years in schools where 99% of students were from low socioeconomic backgrounds. After my first 3 years of teaching, I encountered a significant challenge - guiding my students to reach the zenith of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: self-actualization. I realized that a crucial pillar was missing- safety and security, encompassing health and wellness. Many students confided in me about their lack of access to healthcare facilities, health insurance, chronic disease education, and essential medications. This revelation highlighted the profound interconnection between education and health. My interest in healthcare was rekindled. I relocated to Houston to pursue a Master of Public Health (MPH). As fate would have it, my final year pursuing a Master's in Public Health coincided with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 🦠 This global health crisis didn't just test my resilience; it also shaped my career trajectory significantly. I decided to supplement my degree with a Graduate Certificate in Global Health and apply for an ORISE Fellowship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contributing to their COVID-19 International Task Force. I was also appointed as a Board Member of the International Division of the CDC Museum's COVID-19 Exhibition. I got to work alongside elite researchers, doctors, and nurses. 🩺 I joined the CDC nurses' work group and became inspired by their great work; I applied to Emory University's School of Nursing accelerated RN program and will attain a Master of Nursing by the end of 2024. Looking forward, I’m eager to use all the knowledge and skills I have gained throughout my life and career to directly contribute to healthcare equity. 🫱‍🫲 Connect with me and join my pledge to healthcare excellence and accessibility! 🩵