Savanna Medina, RN, BSN, is honored to be the recipient of the 2025 Madeline A. Naegle Scholarship for mental health nursing.  Savanna graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Nursing as a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Northern Arizona University.

Savanna’s clinical background includes working at Mayo Clinic in the Neurology unit and, currently, as a quality management nurse in behavioral health for the State of Arizona. In this role, she serves vulnerable populations by conducting site visits to behavioral health facilities throughout the Phoenix Valley and collaborating with providers to ensure patients receive the high-quality care they deserve.

She is an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Nurses Association. Her commitment to professional development and community service is reflected in her involvement in volunteer events and attendance at national conferences focused on advancing knowledge in nursing and mental health care.

Savanna’s journey into nursing was deeply personal. Her son’s diagnosis of autism gave her a new perspective on neurodiversity and ignited a passion for working with individuals with neurological disorders. This experience initially led her to specialize in neurology, where she could directly support individuals navigating complex cognitive and neurological conditions.

Since transitioning into behavioral health, Savanna has become increasingly aware of the critical need for providers who are willing to advocate for individuals living with neurological and psychiatric mental health conditions.  Her decision to pursue the PMHNP pathway is grounded in her commitment to closing the gap in access to mental health care especially for underserved and neurodiverse populations. Upon graduation, she plans to serve as both a clinician and advocate for those who have long awaited accurate diagnoses, guidance, and resources to improve their quality of life.

Receiving the NEF scholarship marks one of Savanna’s most meaningful educational accomplishments as a graduate student. She is deeply honored to receive this support, helping her focus more fully on her education and, eventually, on helping others who are seeking support in navigating a neurodevelopmental diagnosis, just as she did for her own child.