In life, it’s often the smallest actions that make the biggest difference. That sentiment rings especially true for one Galen College of Nursing student who saw a need in her community and decided to take action.

For Kiara Dunson, the path to nursing wasn’t always straightforward. Before returning to nursing school, she worked as a certified nursing assistant and ran her own small business. Everything changed in May 2023 when she received a diagnosis she never expected, triple-negative breast cancer.

“I remember the nurses who treated me like a person, not just a cancer patient,” Dunson said. “They sat with me in the hard moments and made me feel less afraid. That experience lit a fire in me. I knew I wanted to be that person for someone else one day.”

As a wife and mother of four, Dunson said she wanted her family to see what it looks like to fight for something meaningful and pursue a purpose. After completing chemotherapy in November 2023 and immunotherapy in June 2024, she made the decision to return to school while still undergoing treatment. In April 2024, she enrolled at Galen’s Cincinnati campus.

Today, Dunson’s goal is to become an oncology nurse and eventually help bring healthcare directly to underserved communities through a mobile medical unit. Inspired by the compassionate care she received throughout her cancer journey, she hopes to expand access to screenings and essential healthcare services for those who need them most.

That vision is just one part of a larger mission.

Over the past year, Dunson noticed a growing need for basic hygiene products in her Cincinnati community. Many of the items people rely on every day are not readily available to everyone. After watching the food pantries help those on the Cincinnati campus, Dunson became inspired to start a pantry of her own.

“No student should have to choose between focusing on their education and meeting basic needs. Our food pantry is available to students as needed and is supported by donations from faculty and staff. By redistributing food that would otherwise go to waste, we help ensure students can stay focused on their journey through nursing school without the added burden of food insecurity,” said Mackenzie Sullivan the senior manager of campus engagement at Galen.

Dunson made hygiene bags which were originally created in her personal time to hand out to individuals in need throughout her local community. After realizing she had supplies remaining from one of her community projects, she chose to donate additional kits to help support fellow students.

Each bag was packed with everyday essentials, including toothbrushes, a hairbrush, a fine-tooth comb, body wipes, hand warmers, bandages, lip balm, nail clippers, mouthwash, deodorant and dental floss.

“It opened up good conversations about the kind of impact we can have, even as students with limited time and resources,” Dunson said.

Dunson hopes her story encourages others to look for ways they can make a difference in their own communities. Whether it’s assembling hygiene bags, donating to a local food pantry, or offering support to someone in need, she believes small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact.

“I think a lot of us hold back because we feel like we should be doing more, or we compare ourselves to people who have more time, money, or resources,” Dunson said. “But I’m a student navigating the same demands as everyone else, and I’ve learned that impact doesn’t have to be big to matter. A smile, a kind word, or a small gesture can go a long way for someone who’s struggling.”

Through her resilience, compassion and commitment to serving others, Dunson is already making an impact both inside and outside the classroom. From navigating her own cancer journey to supporting individuals facing hygiene insecurity, she continues to demonstrate how nursing extends beyond patient care and into the communities nurses serve. As she works toward her goal of becoming an oncology nurse, Dunson hopes her actions remind others that even the smallest act of kindness has the power to change someone’s day, and sometimes, their life.

No matter where you are in your educational journey, there are opportunities to lead and serve. Galen offers a variety of nursing pathways, including Practical Nursing (PN/VN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN, and graduate nursing programs. Whether you’re just beginning your nursing education or advancing your career, your time at Galen can be about more than earning a degree. It’s also an opportunity to develop the compassion, leadership and community-minded spirit that define the nursing profession.