Nursing Director Letter

I’d like to start off with an introduction- I’m Dr. Shelby Clark- a local nurse, a proud Heritage Nursing alum, and an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation. I was born and raised here on the Yakama Indian Reservation in the small town of White Swan.

Dr. Shelby Clark

After completing my undergrad, I went on to earn my DNP in Population Health and Systems Leadership from the University of Washington. Over the past few years, it’s been an absolute honor to return home and serve my own Heritage community.

The Heritage BSN program was established to grow nurses who not only serve their communities—but reflect them. Our graduates are equipped with strong foundations in rural and community health, and they step into critical roles, especially in underserved areas where they’re needed most.

Healthcare is constantly changing, as are the challenges in our communities. Our goal is to prepare nurses with sharp critical thinking skills, strong clinical training, and a deep commitment to community care. Our program is closely aligned with Heritage University’s mission—to uplift all voices and create inclusive, meaningful learning environments for students and faculty alike. We’re here to develop the next generation of nurse leaders.

I’m honored to serve as the second leader of the BSN program here at Heritage, following in the footsteps of the founding director who mentored me. I carry forward the same passion and commitment to tackling the evolving challenges in nursing culture—and I believe the future of our profession depends on the transformative ideas of the next generation of nurses. Since launching in 2015, the program has grown steadily. Just this past academic year, we celebrated a big milestone by graduating our 100th nurse.