WSU Scholarships Empowered Yakima Valley Pharmacy Student to Bridge Health Care Gaps

Karina Jimenez is a second-year WSU pharmacy student at the Yakima extension located on the Pacific Northwest University Health Sciences campus. Jimenez was born and raised in the Yakima Valley, Washington. After doing her undergraduate studies at WSU Pullman, she chose pharmacy as a career. Jimenez shares how scholarships have helped her along the way.

Class of 2027 Doctor of Pharmacy student Karina Jimenez.

My family’s story is an important part of why I’m here. My parents immigrated from Mexico, determined to provide my siblings and me with the chance for a brighter future through education. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking home, I often helped my family navigate medical visits, translating conversations to make sure they got the care they needed. I saw firsthand how language barriers created gaps in health care, and it sparked a deep desire to make a difference. I knew I wanted to be a pharmacist who could bridge that gap for Spanish-speaking patients in my community.

A memory that drives me is watching my grandfather struggle with a bag full of medications, unsure of their purposes because no one had explained them in Spanish. I sat with him, trying to translate the labels on my phone. I’ll never forget his relief—and that moment showed me the impact a Spanish-speaking health care provider could make.

Being the first in my family to attend college has been both exciting and challenging. Funding my education has always been a hurdle, and while I was passionate about pharmacy, the financial strain felt overwhelming. Thanks to scholarships, I’ve been able to focus on my studies instead of constantly worrying about tuition and textbooks. Scholarships didn’t just provide financial relief; they gave me confidence and reassured me that people believed in my potential.

Today, I’m motivated more than ever to give back to Yakima Valley and help other families facing language and health care access barriers. Thanks to the generous support I’ve received, I can work toward this dream—and with continued support, more students like me can reach their full potential in pharmacy.

To learn more about scholarship endowments at the college, please contact Director of Development and Alumni Relations Kelly Sylvester (Kelly.Sylvester@wsu.edu) or click here to give now.