Lois Price Spratlen Scholarship Foundation

Mental Health Depends on Mental Health Care

The shortage of mental health providers in our state is a significant problem. Community health, rural counties, and under-served communities struggle to find qualified mental health providers. 

Our scholarship programs help bring psychiatric Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs) to community mental health centers, rural counties, and under-served communities struggling to find qualified mental health providers.

Through the generosity of our donors and community partners, the Foundation has awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships to 38 nurse scholars. 

“It is a pleasure to see these new practitioners develop into leaders in the profession.”

Our scholars are becoming leaders in the profession. 

Past scholarship recipients have:

• Been voted Top ARNP in Psychiatry by Seattle Met Magazine in 2022 and 2024.
• Co-authored an article on postpartum depression published in Nursing for Women’s Health Journal in 2024.
• Served on the Boards of Directors of Washington State nonprofits and professional associations.

“The Lois Price Spratlen Foundation ensures continued diversity of our professional practice for those most in need of behavioral health care.”

The Foundation emphasizes recognition of students with diverse backgrounds and experience. 

Our scholarship recipients are making a difference in our community by:

• Specializing in Perinatal Mood Disorders in women residing in urbanized communities.
• Working for a nonprofit that promotes social justice and the well-being and empowerment of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities.
• Working for a nonprofit that provides substance use disorder treatment and mental health services.

As a Foundation donor, you are part of a community of caring for the next generation of psychiatric ARNPs and the future of mental health care in our state. Whether in community mental health, private practice, or academia, Foundation scholars are providing the holistic care to honor the spirit and legacy of Lois Price Spratlen.

“The Lois Price Spratlen Foundation is an important way for me to help the next generation learn and grow.”

Please join the family of advanced practice psychiatric nurses and mental health advocates who make a difference in the lives of countless vulnerable members of our community.

Meet Our 2024 Scholars

	Kayla Clark — Seattle University Kayla is driven by a profound passion for equity and empowerment, particularly for marginalized communities such as LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC individuals. In addition to her academic and work experience, Kayla has given back to the community, such as in creating a crowdfunding campaign for the Loveland Foundation, aiming to provide therapy for Black women and girls.
	Carol Gijima — Washington State University Vancouver  Working in various acute inpatient psychiatric and behavioral treatment facilities in Pierce, King, and Thurston counties, Carol has gained valuable insight into the complex challenges faced by individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders. As a volunteer at a free clinic, she was a daily witness to the discrepancies in access to care among vulnerable populations.
	Kimberly Ha — Seattle University Kimberly was drawn to the profession as an intern shadowing an NP at a hospital, and later as volunteer at a local clinic, translating for NP students serving Vietnamese patients. She is pursuing a DNP to “take part in destigmatizing and redefining mental health, especially within Southeast Asian immigrant communities. The ways in which marginalized individuals experience, understand, and seek treatment for illnesses, especially mental illnesses, are complex and heavily coded.”
	Eric Lao — University of Washington Eric is an active volunteer. He has served as a co-lead or member of groups such as the UW School of Nursing Diversity and Awareness Group, and the Future Nurses Club. He also participated in the UW School of Nursing Honors Program, where he worked on a research project evaluating the effectiveness of a clinical mentoring program on the quality of HIV care in Tanzanian healthcare facilities.
	Alessa Lopez-Castor — Gonzaga University  more than 20 years as an NP in addiction medicine, urgent care, and emergency medicine, Alessa brings a wealth of knowledge to the profession. She has had the opportunity to work with area behavioral health inpatient programs and provide "bridge" provider coverage. Alessa also participates on community and state panels to education about the barriers to care that provider face on a daily basis.
	Kate Wright — Seattle University As an LICSW in private practice and at Navos, Kate has worked primarily with individuals who are survivors of childhood relational and sexual abuse, and with birthing people across the perinatal period. She has also volunteered with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the Seattle Asylum & Forensic Evaluation Network, providing pro bono mental health evaluations for youth and adult asylum seekers.