My name is Kinsey Krupa, and I am from Salida, Colorado. I was a medical assistant two years before nursing school and have lived in Salida for seven years. I worked as a Medical assistant in Salida. With the guidance and support of the providers I worked for, I became a Certified Lactation Consultant (CLC), assisting new mothers in forming successful breastfeeding relationships with their newborns.

Being a mother of a six-year-old, I enjoy being involved in community activities at the local public library, parks, and pools. Inspired by my connection to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic, my husband and I volunteered to make lunches available to children affected by school closures. We organized donations and delivery volunteers and created lunches in our Food Truck. Thanks to these community relationships, I have received support that has enabled me to pursue nursing prerequisites, maintain an excellent GPA, and become a CLC while working full-time.

I have Multiple Sclerosis, and my experience sparked my desire to pursue nursing. Initially overwhelmed, my experience was not as gloomy and doom as one might think. With evolving treatments and an exceptional care team that empowered me to be an informed patient, I received outstanding care from phenomenal nurses who helped me understand my condition and live an active lifestyle. I want to be that nurse—the nurse who is a calming presence for others in chaotic moments, providing comfort both medically and emotionally.