2010 Scholar of Change: Reis Woollen

Walden University Bachelor of Sciene in Nursing student Reis Woollen trains others to care for India's growing elder population
Nov 8, 2011 10:00 AM ET

When the opportunity came up for Reis Woolen to go to India, she saw it as a chance to use her nursing skills in a different way and provide meaningful pro bono work to the people of India.

Currently Reis is helping train healthcare providers and family members to care for this aging population in a way that is evidence-based and culturally sensitive. Through word of mouth in the community, Reis and the group she is working with has trained over 75 people on how to care for the elderly population at home.

A class at Walden University, where Reis earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, helped her see that she wanted to work toward social change but was overwhelmed by it. Reis’ self reflection that she needed to accept that her contribution didn’t have to fix the whole world and what she was capable of contributing could be good enough allowed her to work freely for her cause.