Name: Morgan Rodriguez 

Volunteer Position: Psychiatric Nurse Volunteer
Service Period: January – July 2023

Morgan Rodriguez served as a Psychiatric Nurse Volunteer with Hands of Mercy International, supporting the delivery of mental health and psychosocial care services in Yambio, South Sudan.

Morgan is a certified psychiatric and mental health registered nurse, as well as a holistic nurse, with over 3.5 years of professional experience in mental health care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also gained additional experience in medical-surgical (Med-Surg) nursing, broadening her clinical expertise in diverse healthcare settings.

She holds a Master’s degree in Nursing Education and has served as both a clinical instructor and preceptor, mentoring and supporting the development of new nurses.

During her placement, Morgan:

• Provided mental health and psychosocial support services to individuals in a high-need, underserved context 
• Promoted holistic approaches to healthcare, integrating mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing 
• Supported capacity building for local healthcare providers, sharing knowledge and strengthening care delivery 

Driven by a long-standing commitment to serve in Africa since the age of 17, Morgan’s work in South Sudan focused on deepening her understanding of how holistic mental healthcare approaches can improve outcomes in communities with limited access to mental health services.

Her contribution strengthened Hands of Mercy International’s efforts to advance mental health care, resilience, and holistic wellbeing among vulnerable populations.