🩺 Care in Action: How Denise Riojas Is Leading with Compassion and Community

🌟 A Driving Community Leader

Denise’s mission centers on improving the lives of those in her care. Through her work as a diverse nurse with shifting roles, she aims to achieve an inclusive environment for her patients.

“Throughout my career, I’ve taken on challenging and diverse nursing roles—from med-surg and inpatient rehab to home health, supervision, and now oncology. Each role stretched me, strengthened me, and taught me something new about who I am as both a person and a nurse.”

🌎 Representation Matters

For Denise, representation isn’t just a value—it’s a necessity.

“I started my journey as a young girl growing up in South and East Austin, raised in a community rich with culture, resilience, and heart. My heritage has always grounded me—it taught me the value of hard work, humility, and showing up for others, even when the path feels uncertain. Those early lessons shaped not only who I am, but the way I care for people as a nurse.”

Denise hopes to continue shaping spaces where diverse voices influence communities and organizations.

“They’ve given me the drive to serve my community, the courage to step into leadership, and the determination to represent those who share my story.”

🎓 Advice for Future Scholars

When asked what guidance she'd give to students embarking on similar journeys, Denise said:

“The biggest advice I would give to current HSC scholars is to believe in the power of where you come from and the strength you already carry.”

She credits much of her success to her determination and dedication to succeed.

“And most importantly, don’t let fear or self-doubt make you play small. I started as a little Hispanic girl from South and East Austin who just wanted to make her family proud. Today, I have CEOs and CNOs who know me by name and advocate for me because of the work I’ve put in. That didn’t happen overnight—it happened by taking one brave step at a time.”

✨ Looking Ahead

Denise’s journey reflects what happens when representation and service come together with opportunity. As a nurse, she does more than provide clinical care—she shows up as a leader, an advocate, and a reflection of the community she serves.

Through every role she steps into, Denise is advancing healthcare not just through skill, but through presence. Her story is a powerful reminder that when scholars are supported, they don’t just change their own lives—they strengthen the systems and communities around them.

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Denise Riojas is a graduate of Austin Community College, where she earned her degree in Nursing. She has served in diverse clinical roles including med-surg, inpatient rehabilitation, home health, supervision, and oncology. Committed to advancing healthcare through representation and service, Denise continues to advocate for inclusive, compassionate care within her community. Follow Denise's career in healthcare at: instagram.com/denise_rn

About the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium cultivates leaders and scholars by providing access to education, resources, and a vibrant network of support. Through scholarships, mentorship, and leadership development, HSC empowers students to complete their college education and make a lasting impact in their communities. Learn more at hispanicscholar.org