Irene Saunders

Irene Saunders is a Member of Mt. Olive AME Zion Church of Waterbury CT. She has been a registered nurse for 31 years with clinical expertise in medical/surgical, orthopedic, and neurosurgical nursing.

Ms. Saunders received her degree in nursing from St. Mary's School of Nursing in Waterbury CT. She has established a rapport with the elderly that attend the Mt. Olive AME Zion church Senior Center and they look forward to her visits, where she provides blood pressure screenings and information for healthy living. She also facilitates "Sister to Sister," a church program that promotes physical, emotional, and mental wellness for young girls . For several years, she has been a teacher and parent volunteer for the Granville Academy of Waterbury, an after school program that encourages minority students to take an interest in STEM careers. She has also been of assistance in community health fairs and is a firm believer in the wellness of all people in all walks of life.

Ms. Saunders became a Cultural Ambassador because being on the front lines of nursing in an inner city hospital made her painfully aware of the disparities in healthcare. She views the program as a way to bridge some of these gaps in healthcare. Working with Yale has increased her awareness of many healthcare issues and made her cognizant of the vast opportunities that Yale offers to her community.