Rising third-year nursing student Sasicha Gartenbush learned quickly the importance of family and connection.
“My family moved from Thailand to Canton, Ohio, when I was around 3 years old, but I frequently go back to Thailand to visit family,” said Gartenbush. “My family has been a big motivator for me and I always wanted to give back for constantly supporting my dream of being in the medical field.”
Gartenbush chose Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing because it was close to home and allowed her to become fully immersed in the nursing field. As an undergraduate student, she has the opportunity to complete clinical experiences with leading medical partners such as University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, where she also works as a nursing assistant.
“I love that with nursing I am able to directly make a positive impact on someone's life,” she said. “Since starting my education journey, I have been able to learn more about the social determinants of health—like where people are born, how they grow, live, work and age—and how those play a major role in the care a patient receives.”
Looking at the whole person and their history is a mindset that helps Gartenbush with nursing research, also. She recently started working as an assistant for Instructor Grant Pignatiello, whose research focuses on the decision making of family caregivers in intensive care units, and whether a mobile app intervention helps those caregivers cope and make tough decisions.
“I’m new to this position, but I am very excited to take part in this research because I like learning how themes I’ve learned in the classroom connect with clinical and research experiences. It’s an engaging approach to education and learning here at CWRU,” she said.
Outside of nursing, Gartenbush is learning to crochet—making clothing helps her de-stress during the school year, she said. She also spends time exploring Cleveland, visiting new restaurants and cafes with friends, and always thinking of ways to give back and support her family.