Bella Spearman

Background

About Bella Spearman

Driven by a passion for mental health and holistic wellness, I am a nursing student at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where I am expected to graduate with an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in March of 2024. I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Global Public Health from New York University (NYU) in 2021. My diverse experiences allow me to connect with patients from marginalized groups through creativity, compassion, and collaboration. Humanizing healthcare starts with truly appreciating each person in their entirety: body, mind, and spirit. I am grateful to serve as a board member for Go The Distance (GTD), a Portland non-profit that promotes substance use recovery through exercise. Additionally, I am a yoga instructor, with a certification from Unfold: Yoga & Meditation, and a passion for promoting accessible movement. During my time at NYU, I gained valuable research and leadership skills as a health affairs intern on Rikers Island. I met with families across every NYC borough to collect self-reported data for ROSES, a randomized controlled trial studying trauma-informed alternatives to incarceration for teenage girls. After moving to Oregon, I worked as a residential counselor at Fora Health Treatment & Recovery, where I provided care and support for male-identifying teenagers with substance use disorders. I currently work part-time as a substitute teacher at Portland Public Schools (PPS), where I foster positive learning environments for students with special education needs. By earning the trust of the youth that I work with, I hope to empower them with the tools for self-care and interdependence. I look forward to a future where all people can access non-judgmental support for whole-person health. As I embark on my nursing career, I am committed to promoting holistic and compassionate care, informed by my personal and professional experiences. I passionately integrate evidence-based nursing practices with complementary wellness practices such as nutrition, physical activity, and creative expression. My vision is that one day, individualized care will be the standard, not the exception. While the road ahead has many challenges, I am energized by the chance to put my multifaceted skill set into practice. I look forward to infusing warmth and wisdom into my nursing practice, and supporting my patients as whole people on their personal journeys towards healing.