Fund Recipient Spotlight: 'I'm excited to be a front-line RN'

The Front-Line Responders Fund raised over $100,000 to provide financial support to Webster University students who are working in healthcare on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing their studies. In this series, student recipients of awards from the fund share their stories of balancing studies, family, work and more during the pandemic.

Spotlight: Satoshi Kamoshita

Occupation: RN, CV-Step Down Unit, St. Luke’s Hospital

Major: Bachelor of Science, Nursing (BSN)

Kamoshita works as a full-time front-line RN taking care of patients with COVID-19 while continuing his education to obtain a BSN.

"Working full-time as a COVID-19 floor nurse and taking classes is stressful," he said. "My work has only gotten harder since our floor was converted to the specialized COVID-19 floor. After the conversion, there was a mass exodus of nurses from my unit because they were afraid and due to the lack of PPE."

These funds are greatly appreciated. They help lessen the financial pressure of school when so many other aspects of life are very stressful due to COVID-19.

Kamoshita also shared how the pandemic affected his family directly.

"My daughter was positive for COVID and my family had to quarantine," he said. "First my daughter, then my wife had very mild symptoms; my son and I were fine. We have two children under 6 years old. During this quarantine it was much harder to find time to study because I had to help my son with his kindergarten curriculum while also taking care of our daughter. Despite being afraid of getting the virus myself, I'm excited to be a front-line RN."

About the Front-Line Responders Fund

The Front-Line Responders Fund was launched via crowdfunding last June, to raise financial support for Webster’s students working in healthcare on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time over 300 nurses were working long shifts while still attending class virtually.

The crowdfunding initiative, led by Webster University Trustee and alumna Laura Herring B.A. '70 and her spouse, Mike Herring, surpassed its $100,000 goal for the Fund in just two months. Over 100 gifts came from donors in 18 U.S. states, in amounts ranging from $20 to $20,000.