Daniela Shakes story is one of passion, perseverance, and a strong commitment to improving both individual health and community wellbeing. Born and raised in the Greater Boston Area, she began her academic journey at the College of the Holy Cross, where she discovered her passion for Sociology and Childhood Studies. This foundation in the liberal arts sparked her interest in understanding the social dynamics of healthcare.

After working in Healthcare Administration for several years, Daniela realized she wanted to directly impact patient care and decided to pursue nursing at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University (MCPHS). She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, which put her on the front lines almost immediately. Daniela was part of the Massachusetts Rapid Response Team, traveling to long-term care facilities to help relieve the strain on healthcare systems during one of the most challenging times in recent history. Her dedication didn’t stop there—she continued working in acute care hospitals, caring for patients who were severely impacted by the virus.

Now, Daniela is pursuing a career in Maternal and Child Health nursing, with a focus on pediatrics. At the same time, she’s furthering her education by working toward a Master’s in Public Health at MCPHS, merging her background in sociology with her growing expertise in healthcare. This interdisciplinary approach allows her to think critically about how social factors intersect with healthcare, especially in vulnerable populations.

Currently, Daniela is expanding her public health knowledge through an internship with the Boston Congress of Public Health. Here, she hopes to gain practical experience in policy development and advocacy, with the goal of improving healthcare access and equity on a larger scale. Her unique blend of clinical experience, academic background, and passion for public health positions her to make a lasting impact in both patient care and health policy.