Perla Sanchez-Perez

Perla Sanchez-Perez, RN, BSN, CCRN is a nurse anesthesia student and the honored recipient of the prestigious Mariam M. Powell Scholarship. Perla holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Texas at Dallas, an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing from Brookhaven Community College, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Texas at Arlington. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nurse Anesthesia degree at Arkansas State University.

Perla’s journey to nursing was deeply personal. As a first-generation Latina, former DACA recipient, she grew up navigating language barriers, limited resources, and financial hardship. These challenges forged her resilience, compassion, and unwavering drive to give back. Her humble beginnings instilled in her a deep understanding of the barriers underserved communities face, especially in accessing equitable healthcare. Witnessing these disparities firsthand inspired her to become a nurse and ultimately pursue advanced practice to bring culturally competent, compassionate care to all patients.  Additionally, Perla chose to pursue a career as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) to help increase representation in a field where only about 4% of CRNAs identify as Hispanic.

Perla worked as a critical care nurse for seven years, gaining extensive experience in high-acuity settings. Her clinical excellence and leadership have been recognized through roles such as the first nurse at her hospital to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, representing her institution on Spanish and English media platforms during a critical time. She was also honored in the Texas Congressional Record for her courageous frontline service and is a proud Daisy Award recipient.

Choosing Arkansas State’s DNAP program aligned with her mission to become a culturally competent CRNA, equipped to serve rural and diverse communities. Her doctoral education will empower her to mentor future CRNAs, influence clinical practice, and advocate for policy reform that expands access to safe, high-quality anesthesia care. Her current quality improvement project explores how virtual reality technology can enhance nurse anesthesia education and engagement.  In nurse anesthesia professional circles, Perla is highly engaged, serving as a Student Representative for the Arkansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists (ARANA) since 2024 and as a Resident Advocate for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) Foundation and serves as the treasurer for her cohort.

A nurse anesthesia degree will enable Perla to provide specialized anesthesia care in diverse settings, including underserved communities, bridging cultural and language barriers. Looking ahead, Perla aims to use her expertise to mentor future nurse anesthetists, advocate for greater diversity and equity in healthcare, and influence policy changes that improve patient safety and access to quality anesthesia care. Ultimately, her advanced education will empower her to make a meaningful impact both at the bedside and in the broader healthcare system. Receiving the NEF Scholarship is both an honor and a profound validation of her journey. It represents an investment in her potential and further fuels her commitment to serving others through advanced practice, leadership, and advocacy.