Janelle Scruggs
Janelle Scruggs is a native of Norristown, Pennsylvania and presently works as an RN in a Philadelphia emergency room. She earned a BS in Neuroscience from Temple University and a BS in Nursing from Gwynedd Mercy University. Since becoming a nurse, she has worked in the emergency room of multiple Level 1 trauma centers that primarily serve urban and under-served communities. Scruggs was named a 2023 Lauder Fellow and has committed to continue to work with and in under-served communities upon completion of her studies. She says “I’ve worked in underserved communities since becoming a nurse and a significant part of my decision to become a primary care nurse practitioner stems from my drive to make a larger impact on my community. We often talk about health equity, but the rates of poor health and disease continue to soar for minorities, specifically African Americans.” A lifelong learner, Scruggs hopes to continue to hone her skills throughout her career to deliver high quality patient-centered care. She also aspires to aid in diversifying the healthcare field. She says “Representation matters. Having providers who look like you, understand your culture, and can relate on a personal level is very powerful and comforting for patients.”
Representation matters. Having providers who look like you, understand your culture, and can relate on a personal level is very powerful and comforting for patients.
What's your favorite place to eat on campus or in the city?
New Delhi and Sweet Green
What's your favorite non-required or elective class?
I haven’t taken any elective or non-required courses yet.
What's your favorite Penn perk (e.g. access to museum, ICA, athletics, Arboretum, etc)?
Student discounts and the Arboretum
What's your favorite place on campus?
Anywhere that is quiet.
What's your favorite Penn activity / hobby outside of class (e.g. on-campus groups, clubs, athletics, volunteering, etc)?
I enjoy experiencing new restaurants and different types of food with my line sister.
The most memorable moment I've had at Penn Nursing so far is...?
The most memorable moment I’ve had at Penn Nursing so far was undoubtedly the Poverty Simulation that I participated in. That experience was a great way to expose students to the very real daily life struggles that many families in our community and across the country face.
What is something that you really like about your program of study?
I like that I have the unique opportunity of being a Lauder Fellow because I’m exposed to additional opportunities to learn and strengthen my practice that I otherwise might not have had while pursuing this educational track.
What's your favorite thing about your cohort and/or the community at Penn?
One of my favorite things about my cohort is that it’s small, which makes it very easy to get to know my classmates. Many of us are either taking the same courses at the same time, or have classmates that have already taken certain courses and are able to give great advice on how to navigate them.
What or who has inspired you the most while pursuing your degree, and why?
Many of the patients I come in contact with as well as my future patients are who most inspire me. Minority patients often inquire about why there is a lack of diversity among providers and what my educational career path in nursing has been, and express their wish for more ethnically-diverse providers. These conversations inspire me to continue to grow because not only am I pursing an advanced education to care for vulnerable populations, but in my track, I’m potentially staring back at some of our future ethnically-diverse providers who see themselves in me.
