Service and Learning

When Margaret Galvez, ba ’90, bs ’98, bsn ’05, was young, her mother always said the world was hers for the taking. She grew up believing she could accomplish whatever she wanted to achieve, giving her unshakeable confidence that has taken her around the world on a lifelong journey of learning. Her professional life began in her hometown of Topeka, where she earned her biology degree at Washburn in 1998. After college she was working at an animal pharmaceutical company in Iowa when an unexpected event changed the course of her life.

“While I was there a worker got injured, and I was the only one who knew how to set a leg,” Galvez recalled. “She turned to me and said, ‘I think you would be a great nurse.’ And this lightbulb went off, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. The very next day I inquired about how to become a nurse.”

After beginning her studies at a community college in Iowa, Galvez quickly fell in love with nursing and realized the profession was her true calling, particularly caring for underserved populations. Then she was struck by a more personal tragedy: her mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Galvez made the decision to move home to Topeka to care for her mother, and she also decided to continue her education by enrolling in the nursing program at Washburn.

“I feel like everything happens for a reason,” Galvez said. “To take care of my mom when she passed was the greatest gift I’ve ever been given. I was able to be there for her, and when I crossed the stage at Washburn it was life-altering because I was taking her legacy with me into the world. My whole life has been a testament to my childhood, Washburn, my mom and my career.”

Today Galvez works as a nurse practitioner and clinical assistant professor at Baylor University in Fort Worth, Texas. She is also working toward a doctorate in nursing science at Texas Women’s University, with the goal of working on health inequities for underserved populations.

“I feel that health care should be a human right, and I feel strongly about that,” she said. “Everybody should have access to safe care no matter where they live. That’s been my driving factor.”

For Shirley Dinkel, professor emeritus who retired in 2019, Galvez’s dedication to health equity comes as no surprise. She taught Galvez in multiple classes and was struck by her unique ability to “move freely from ‘in the weeds’ to the 10,000-foot view” to come up with solutions that are meaningful for all involved.

“I very quickly noticed she had this keen ability to see the big picture as well as the details,” Dinkel said. “Not very many people in this profession have the talents she has and her ability to think at a high level. She’s also curious, and I think that’s key. But she does not do this alone. She pulls teams together and helps those who are still in the learning process. She’s very organized and good at bringing groups of people together.”

Galvez’s full list of degrees is lengthy and impressive – along with her Washburn degrees in nursing, psychology and biology, she has also earned an MBA, master of public health, master of science in nursing and doctor of nursing practice. In addition to her remarkable academic resume, Galvez has expanded her personal and professional horizons on medical mission trips around the world, including Mexico, Guatemala and Haiti.

(Margaret Galvez and her husband celebrate her winning a 2016 Dallas-Fort Worth Great 100 Nurses award.)

“It’s been more beneficial for me as a human being to understand other cultures, meet people where they are and take care of people without resources,” Galvez said. “I’ve learned so much from health care providers who have taught me about remedies and nutrition from their point of view. It’s always been more of a blessing to me – I come away from those situations thinking I’ve helped others when in reality they’ve helped me.”

Ultimately, she says her commitment to traveling and continuing her education boils down to curiosity – and a deep desire to “pay it forward” like her mother always encouraged her to do.

“My mom told me to always be a strong woman and advocate for others and give back in your community,” Galvez said. “Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve always volunteered in the community. I’ve volunteered with animals, food kitchens, mission trips, indigent care clinics; it’s really just taking your skills and education and using them to better yourself and others and bring others up with you at the same time.”

When Galvez completes her current degree, she would like to work at a health department or in the community focusing on addressing gaps in care and social determinants of health. She also hopes to continue teaching, as it allows her to hear the invigorating ideas of the next generation and share her favorite philosophy: “Do whatever you want, because the world is yours.”