When Catherine Blackford arrived at the University of Miami, she wasn’t sure where she belonged academically.
As Blackford moved through her introductory courses, she found herself drawn to the sciences, especially biology, and increasingly to the people behind the science. That pull intensified after an unexpected hospital stay, where experiencing the vulnerability of being in the care of strangers reshaped her sense of purpose and clarified the direction she wanted to pursue.
“One health care worker told me, ‘Fix your crown,’” Blackford said. “It stuck with me. No matter what life throws at you, you have to pick yourself back up. That moment changed me, and I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else.”
By the end of her first year, Blackford knew she wanted a career in health care. She declared a major in health sciences and began building the experiences that would shape her path. But like many students pursuing a rigorous, hands-on degree, she was facing the mounting pressure of tuition and living expenses on top of an already demanding schedule.
Then came the support that shifted the trajectory of her time at the University: the Betty and Marcelo Alvarez Endowed Scholarship.
Established by alumni and longtime University supporters Betty and Marcelo Alvarez—a nursing graduate and a double business graduate, respectively—the endowed scholarship was created to help students in the School of Nursing and Health Studies pursue their degrees without being weighed down by financial strain. Since its inception, the scholarship has supported a growing cohort of aspiring nurses.
Blackford didn’t know the full history of the scholarship when she first learned she had been selected. But once she received the award, she dug deeper and was struck by the donors’ generosity.
“I researched further and learned how much Mr. and Mrs. Alvarez have contributed to the University,” she said. “Knowing they invested in students like me made the award even more meaningful.”
That investment made an immediate difference. The scholarship removed a major financial barrier, giving her the space to focus on her demanding coursework and clinical training. It also opened doors to opportunities she might not otherwise have pursued.
“Academics are demanding, and having some of the financial pressure lifted is the best feeling,” she said. “It allowed me to focus on my goals without carrying the stress that weighed on my family.”
Blackford has immersed herself in academics and hands-on experiences that strengthened her preparation for a nursing career. She shadowed physicians, volunteered in health-related programs, and joined medical-focused student organizations. She took on a deeper role in campus life, including serving as co-treasurer for Relay for Life, where she helped support cancer research while honoring loved ones affected by the disease.
“I wouldn’t have been able to make that kind of impact without this scholarship,” Blackford said. “The scholarship didn’t just support me, it made me feel seen. Being selected is an honor, and it motivates me to keep going and continue my education in health care.”
Now a junior, Blackford is focused on building a career in pediatrics. She hopes to work with patients from infancy through adolescence and support families as their children move through major developmental milestones.
“I love the idea of watching a patient grow from infancy to adulthood and being part of improving their health throughout their life,” she said.
She also has her sights set on giving back to the next generation of health care students. She wants to help guide students who are navigating the same challenges she faced.
“I want to provide compassionate care and help patients feel comfortable in any clinical setting,” she said. “I also hope to support future health care students by sharing what I’ve learned, from encouragement to studying and clinical skills.”
For Blackford, the scholarship has meant stability, opportunity, and a renewed sense of purpose. For the Alvarez family, it has meant making a long-term investment in the University’s mission to prepare compassionate, capable health care professionals. And for the patients Blackford will one day serve, the impact will be even greater. Their care, comfort, and trust will be shaped in part by a scholarship established years before they ever meet the nurse standing at their bedside.