Dennis Sasati has overcome incredible odds to become a nurse, a journey that has taken him from a small village in Kenya to the graduation stage in Asheville.
The 38-year-old recently earned his Associate Degree in Nursing from Galen College of Nursing and is now a registered nurse, but his path to this new career was anything but easy.
Sasati was born and raised in a rural village near Nakuru, Kenya, about 100 miles north of the capital of Nairobi. As the eldest son of six siblings, his responsibilities began early. At just 4 years old, his mother died, and he was forced to take on household duties. He and his siblings often walked long distances to school, and Sasati had to wake up even earlier to fetch water for his family.
“Despite all the challenges, we made it,” Sasati said. “It was not easy for me or my sisters, but we all graduated high school.”
Sasati’s first career was in tourism, working as a guide for international visitors. Later, he joined a non-profit organization where he met his future wife, American Rachael Robertson. After a few years of marriage, they made the difficult decision to leave Kenya and move to the U.S. to be closer to her family.
When Sasati arrived in Asheville, he found his true calling while working at a nursing home. His passion for helping others, which had been sparked during his non-profit work in Kenya, was reignited.
“I wanted to be hands-on with the community,” he said. “I wanted to be a nurse or a doctor and have the knowledge or skills to participate on the ground.”
He enrolled at a local community college, where he earned his Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification. An instructor, who was also a nurse at Mission Hospital, an HCA Healthcare facility, helped him get a job as a patient care technician.
Seven months later, Galen opened a new campus in Asheville, and the timing was perfect for Sasati.
“When I did my prerequisites and started with Galen, everything felt so right,” he said. “Going to Galen has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
As he was pursuing his nursing degree, Sasati decided to apply for U.S. citizenship. On Sept. 20, 2024, he became an American citizen.
“I knew that I wanted to have that complete comfort and be able to invest myself and my time and mind into what I do here,” he said. “I wanted to become a citizen. It would make more sense as a citizen.”
The process was long, but Sasati said the feeling of relief was immense.
“It brings a relief, and it’s a huge part of life, and you did it, you’re successful,” he said. “You don’t have to look over your shoulder. It’s a great feeling.”
Sasati’s two-year journey with Galen concluded in June 2025. He passed the NCLEX exam, officially becoming a registered nurse. At his graduation, he was chosen by his peers to be a speaker and received the Emerging Leader award from the dean, Lorraine Geffon.
“When he’s in clinical, I’ve never heard a bad thing,” Geffon said. “He’s one of those students who started out and struggled a little bit, and as time went by, he grew and grew and got better and better. He’s an exemplary student.”
Sasati plans to work in the medical-surgical department at a hospital, with a focus on a cardiovascular unit.
“Dennis is the kind of person whose determination, grit, and drive to succeed inspires everyone around him,” said Tiffany Davall, a clinical manager at Galen. “Watching him not only excel as a student but also achieve his dream of becoming a U.S. citizen was nothing short of incredible.”
Are you considering beginning your nursing journey? Galen offers several paths including our: PN/VN diploma program, Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, and 3-year Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing (BSN) program.
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