Background

African Americans and Latinos are disproportionately impacted by Alzheimer’s. In fact, by 2030 African American and Latino people will make up 40 percent of Alzheimer’s patients in the United States. To combat this, these communities need equal access to healthcare and reliable information about brain health from people they trust – and nurses are among the most trusted voices in communities across the country.

However, nurses themselves need more information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia (ADRD). That’s why UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Center for Brain Health Equity designed the Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship to address knowledge gaps among African American and Latino nurse professionals, so they are better equipped to promote brain health in the communities they serve.

The fellowship is funded in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and was created in partnership with the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), and an interdisciplinary network of subject matter experts.

NBNA's mission is to provide a forum for collective action by African American nurses to represent and provide a forum for black nurses to advocate for and implement strategies to ensure access to the highest quality of healthcare for persons of color.

NAHN is committed to advancing the health in Hispanic communities and to lead, promote, and advocate the educational, professional, and leadership opportunities for Hispanic nurses.

2026 Program

The Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship Program brings together nurses from all over the country to learn how to promote brain health in communities with a high risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, especially Black and Latino communities. Fellows finish the program with the knowledge and leadership skills to be “brain health ambassadors” in their community.

2026 Fellowship Program Dates: February 2026 – September 2026

The Fellowship program is designed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Improve Knowledge: Provide fellows with tailored continuing education on Alzheimer’s and related dementias to address brain health knowledge gaps.
2. Cultivate Leadership: Provide fellows with the leadership skills and content needed to promote tailored brain health education among their peers and in their community.
3. Facilitate Networking: Connect fellows to a national network of nurses and experts working at the intersections of brain health, public health, and health equity to create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Fellowship Benefits

• Receive an educational stipend of $2,000 in installments throughout the fellowship, disbursed after the completion of the certain milestones
• Earn Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) credits for participating in required workshops
• Complimentary access to UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Brain Health Academy and opportunity to gain additional CNEs.
• Receive training from nationally recognized subject matter experts and public health leaders to strengthen your knowledge, leadership capacity and public health communication skills
• Opportunities to network with experts across nursing, aging, and health equity workforce
• National and local recognition opportunities showcasing your work

Fellowship Requirements

All 2026 Fellows will be expected to complete the Fellowship requirements below between February - September 2026, with an estimated total time commitment of approximately 20-30 hours. This schedule is tentative and could be subject to change.

- Workshops for leadership development and brain health promotion (Approximately 12 hours total) – All workshops are required, will be held over Zoom and be recorded for those who cannot attend live.

• Orientation & Welcome session (1.5 hours)
• Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease (2 hours)
• Understanding & Preventing Alzheimer’s Health Disparities (2 hours)
• The Connected Nurse: Social Media for Community Health (1.5 hours)
• *New workshop for 2026* Advocacy & Storytelling (2 hours)
• Engaging with the Community (1.5 hours)
• Preparing for your Community Conversations (1.5 hours)

- Community engagement and community conversation planning (Approx. 8 hours).

• Plan, host, and lead at least two in-person brain health conversations (1.5-2 hours each) to reach a total of 25 people per audience; conduct pre- and post-survey of all conversation participants.
• 1 conversation with peers
• 1 conversation with community members

- Contribute to Evaluation Efforts (1 hour)

Fellows will take a pre- and post-test (30 minutes total) and participate in an exit interview (30 minutes)

- Networking Opportunities (2+ hours).

• Check in with an alumni mentor at least twice (2 hours, required)
• Optional events, like: engagement in 1-2 virtual networking sessions with national experts; engagement at NAHN and NBNA conference events

Learn more about the Fellowship’s impact here.

Meet the Fellows

2026 Fellows

• 

  Yenifer Espitia-Gil, MSN, RN, PHN
  Charles R. Drew University 
  Los Angeles, CA
• 

  Cynthia M. Gonzalez, MSN, APRN, OCNS-C, CMSRN 
  DePaul University School of Nursing 
  Chicago, IL
• 

  Yolanda V. Green, MSN, RN
  Clemson Health Clinic, Clemson Rural Health
  Orangeburg, SC
• 

  Monica Harmon, MSN, MPH, RN
  Pennsylvania Nursing Workforce Coalition
  Philadelphia, PA
• 

  Zachariah Hernandez
  Oakland University School of Nursing (student)
  Lansing, MI
• 

  Kulicia R. Hubbard, BSN, RN, CMCN    
  New Orleans East Hospital
  New Orleans, LA
• 

  Jessica Jacobs Hooks, MA, BS
  Duke University School of Nursing (student)
  Durham, NC
• 

  Anny Jenkins, MSN, BSN
  Blue Ridge Care 
  Inwood, WV
• 

  Paule V. Joseph, Ph.D., MBA, MS, FNP-BC, CTN-B, FAAN
  National Institutes of Health, NIAAA & NIDCD
  Bethesda, MD
• 

  LaToya Lewis, Ed.D-CI, MSN, RN
  University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
  Miami, FL
• 

  Darci Martinez, DNP, RN, FNP-C    
  AdventHealth Porter Hospital  
  Denver, CO
• 

  Ivonne Nieto, RN
  Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
  Downey, CA
• 

  Yuli Diana Pandocchi
  DePaul University (student)
  Carpentersville, IL
• 

  Anthony Young, DNP, APRN, AGPCNP-BC, CPHQ
  Calvary Hospital
  New York, NY

Alumni Mentors

• 

  Liliana Trespalacios, BSN, RN, RMA
  Ophthalmology Partners
  Vernon Hills, IL
• 

  Chardè L. Vance, BSN, RN
  University of California Davis Health
  Elk Grove, CA

Alumni

What Previous Fellows Have to Say

Learn more about the Fellowship’s impact here. 

“The fellowship has been the most remarkable career experience I have had, so far. This fellowship has afforded the opportunity to deeply broaden my understanding, knowledge and skills on so many topics, including public speaking, health and social policies, research and clinical trials implementations, dissemination of health-related info on social media, community engagement, development of professional networks, and the ability to influence and support my community. I’m thankful for the breadth and depth of the learning opportunity, connections I’ve made and the guidance I’ve received.” – Judith Laguerre, BSN, RN-BC

Charlene Whitaker-Brown, DNP, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, CHFN

Mario Peregrino

Dyanne Rodriguez, DNP, RN, MPH

“I was blessed to be selected for the inaugural Brain Health Equity Nurse Fellowship Class of 2022. I cannot say enough about the UsA2 team that helped me grow in knowledge, and a better understanding of Alzheimer's Disease. The fellowship made me aware of the disparities in brain health affecting the African American and Latino communities and modifiable risk factors.I always wanted to make a larger impact in the community regarding Alzheimer's Disease awareness and thanks to this fellowship I feel better prepared to get the word out!” – LaTonya Hines, BSN, RN

"I was privileged to be a part of the inaugural fellowship and what a phenomenal experience it has been. I have met amazing fellows located across the nation and established great professional friendships for a lifetime. The brain health equity knowledge and tools we have obtained helped me personally and professionally and I will be able to make an impact locally in sharing my knowledge on brain health equity." – Sussie Gonzalez, MHA, MSN, RN, CNML

Dr. Maria Perez

Dr. Erma Smith-King

Contact Information & Acknowledgements

Any questions? Contact Latonya Aaron, Project Coordinator, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s at [email protected].

This fellowship is supported in part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award (1NU58DP006781) totaling $1.8 million with 100% funded by CDC/HHS. The contents are those of UsAgainstAlzheimer’s and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, CDC, HHS or the US Government.