Cedarville Nursing Graduate Wins Global Health Care Award

Caring for children with compassion and clinical excellence is the calling of every pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP). Sharlene Lansiquot, a 2024 graduate of Cedarville University’s Master of Science in Nursing PNP program, is pursuing that calling with a global mindset. 

Lansiquot was recently honored by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) with the 2024 Global Health Care Special Interest Group Nurse Practitioner Student Award.  

The award recognizes one student who contributes to the healthcare of an underserved community. Lansiquot’s highlighted work was with the Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric Clinic in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where she completed her clinical practicum. 

As a first-generation Haitian/St. Lucian-American from Brooklyn, New York, Lansiquot has seen firsthand the need for clinicians who will advocate for the health needs of all children, with a particular focus on racialized children. 

The $500 cash prize Lansiquot received along with the award will be used to further the work of the Philadelphia FIGHT Pediatric Center’s literacy outreach program. Lansiquot plans to purchase children’s books that highlight and reflect diverse cultural backgrounds. 

“My involvement at Philly’s FIGHT highlighted the importance of providing culturally competent care to children from various backgrounds, particularly those from marginalized communities who have faced significant social hardships,” said Lansiquot. “I was involved in care that is inclusive and tailored to meet the needs of all youth, regardless of race, ethnicity or income level.” 

Lansiquot has a passion for finding solutions to health inequities. She sees a particular need for the development of methods that deal with how racialized children internalize and are affected by racist views of themselves.  

Lansiquot credits the training she received while completing Cedarville’s Graduate Certificate in Public Health with fueling her passion for health initiatives among special interest groups. This certification is designed to help professionals in any field of study provide population-based solutions to critical health issues around the world. 

While completing her certification at Cedarville, Lansiquot was equipped with the knowledge and expertise to offer real solutions to health problems and issues, environmental health concerns and the challenges related to community development and societal structure.  

“One course that profoundly impacted me was Global Health and Vulnerable Populations. That class challenged me to critically assess existing programs aimed at supporting marginalized populations and to envision new initiatives that could more effectively alleviate their suffering,” said Lansiquot. “Through a Christian lens, the program deepened my understanding of the urgent need for healthcare systems that address these disparities.” 

The program helped Lansiquot focus on promoting literacy among children and their families. 

“By promoting literacy, this program helps to ensure that young people have the tools they need to communicate effectively with healthcare providers, succeed academically and ultimately break the cycle of poverty that can be perpetuated by illiteracy,” said Lansiquot. “By combining my academic and clinical expertise with faith-based initiatives, I hope to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the children and communities I serve.”