Tomika aspires to be a catalyst for change in reducing maternal health disparities. She aims to leverage her education to advocate for equitable access to maternal care and to implement effective interventions that can improve outcomes for all mothers and babies. 

Tomika White is a dedicated nursing student at the University of Michigan – Flint, where she expects to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in winter 2025. A mother of two, Tomika chose to pursue nursing in part because of her experience giving birth. After her second child, Tomika suffered a postpartum hemorrhage, and in her words, the “compassionate” care she received from nurses “brought a heightened awareness of the crucial role nurses play in patient care.”

Tomika graduated with honors from Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in December 2023, earning an associate degree in nursing. During her time at WCC, she was an active member of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing, where she further developed her passion for patient care and advocacy. Her dedication to the nursing profession is also reflected in her membership with the National Student Nurse Association and her involvement in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she actively engages in service and leadership initiatives.

As a mother to neurodivergent children, Tomika’s responsibilities have shaped her approach to nursing, instilling in her a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to advocating for the well-being of vulnerable people. Despite the challenges of managing her children’s therapy sessions and daily routines, Tomika has remained steadfast in her pursuit of a nursing career, driven by her desire to make a meaningful difference in the healthcare field.

After graduation, Tomika aspires to be a catalyst for change in reducing maternal health disparities. She aims to leverage her education to advocate for equitable access to maternal care and to implement effective interventions that can improve outcomes for all mothers and babies.

CEW+ honors Tomika’s commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and names her the Deodge Hill Scholar.