The Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing Program is uplifting aspiring nurses and fighting bias in health care. 

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The first cohort of Seedworks Scholars recently graduated from the UMass Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing. This group of new nurses is not only ready to embark on careers in the nursing profession—they will also serve as passionate advocates for health equity.

Racism has a significant impact on medical care in the United States and around the world. Biases, both conscious and unconscious, contribute to disparities in health care, affecting quality of care and health outcomes for people from marginalized communities.

Nurses—who are on the frontlines of patient care—are uniquely positioned to address these health disparities. The diversification of the nursing workforce has a positive impact on health outcomes: when nurses reflect their communities, harm decreases.

This is the inspiration behind the Seedworks Health Equity in Nursing program at UMass Amherst. Established in 2021, the program’s mission is to expand equity, strengthen belonging, reduce barriers, and advance persistence for nursing students from underrepresented backgrounds, including BIPOC, queer, first-generation, neurodivergent, and other identities.

The program is generously supported by the Seedworks Fund, a nonprofit founded by Susan Hagedorn PhD ’77 and her children.

“Racism is among the biggest health problems in the U.S. and across the world,” says Hagedorn, a nurse practitioner, educator, filmmaker, and social justice advocate. “In my opinion, nurses have the biggest impact on health of any health professional. My children and I all saw a real need to diversify nursing. [The nurses’] experience can improve health in America.”

“We wanted to do this for the nurses and for the patients they will see in the future,” says Will Paterson, Hagedorn’s son and chairperson of the Seedworks Fund.

Diversifying the nursing workforce starts with diversifying nursing education, says Hagedorn. A Marieb College alumna and generous donor to the university, she thought UMass would be a good fit for this type of program.

“Nursing has been my life, and it’s enabled me to be creative in order to find solutions to problems, including the fact that most colleges of nursing have student populations that do not include many students of color,” she says. “Nurses of color are needed. Why not [start at] UMass?”

More than a scholarship program

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Seedworks is a comprehensive four-year program designed to optimize student success and support scholars at all levels of their education. In addition to scholarship support, the student-centered program also includes academic mentoring, emotional support, networking, and leadership development.

The program is led by Lucinda Canty, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, who joined UMass in 2022 as associate professor of nursing and director of the Seedworks program.

“If we want to change, we have to have nurses who represent their communities, especially those who are disproportionately impacted by health disparities,” says Canty, whose research focuses on maternal health and addressing medical racism.

There have been 36 Seedworks Scholars to date, and the first cohort of scholars is graduating with a 100 percent retention rate. This success is a testament to the outstanding support the program provides.

“[Seedworks] is about giving the students what they need so that they can be successful. What I love most is the message it gives to the scholars: You belong here. We want you here.”

Lucinda Canty, PhD, RN, CNM, FACNM, FAAN

Ayannah Burgos ’26, a Latina first-generation student from Springfield, Massachusetts, says that she struggled with imposter syndrome when she first entered the predominantly white nursing school. Seedworks, and Canty’s support in particular, helped her find a sense of belonging.

“Dr. Canty helped me navigate as another nurse of color. She was so supportive,” Burgos says. “She has helped connect me with resources to bolster my education, including the New England Minority Nurses Leadership Conference, which helped reinstate my confidence and that I do belong.”

Peer support is another crucial element of the Seedworks program, says Canty.

“When one of the scholars has a challenge, they support each other,” she says, sharing an example of a junior who was struggling with chemistry. “The seniors shared their own experiences and gave advice. It was amazing to see. That junior is now giving chemistry advice to first-year students. When they have challenges, they help each other get through it.”

For Chloe Hogan ’26, the peer support has been especially meaningful.

“My friends in the program help keep me on the right path. It’s students from all levels [of the program] who check in with one another,” says Hogan, whose sister, Olivia, is also a Seedworks Scholar. “We’re all different and have different struggles, but that makes us a better team in supporting each other.”

Shaping the future of nursing

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Graduates of the Seedworks program will play an integral role in shaping the future of nursing and helping to improve health outcomes in their communities.

“It is truly incredible to witness the outstanding students who have participated in Seedworks over the last four years and the amazing program that the students have co-created with Dr. Canty and the team,” says Dean Allison Vorderstrasse. “The support from Sue Hagedorn and the Seedworks Fund is instrumental in empowering the students and program to thrive and I can’t wait to see their long-term impact in the communities they will care for.”

As the first cohort of Seedworks Scholars graduates, Hagedorn and Paterson reflect on the program’s impact so far.

“We’re very proud of the Seedworks graduates and hope that they have fulfilling careers and make their patients’ lives better,” says Paterson.

“Social justice had become a real theme at the college, and it is a place we can all be proud of,” Hagedorn says. “We couldn’t be more pleased that a real difference is happening at UMass and in the nursing workforce.”

Interested in supporting aspiring nurses at UMass Amherst? Make a gift to the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.