Alumni Spotlight: Kyra Harris
Kyra Harris has always been driven by her passion for helping others. After earning her nursing degree from Avila University in 2019, the Rosati-Kain Academy (’15) and Most Holy Trinity (’11) alumna began her career on the critical care team at DePaul Hospital in Bridgeton before switching to pediatrics at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital, and later St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
It was while working in the inpatient pulmonary unit at Children’s Hospital, however, that Kyra made a pivotal career shift. “I decided to switch from working in the hospital to becoming a school nurse through the hospital’s Children’s Health, Advocacy, and Outreach (CHAO) department,” she explains. This move opened her eyes to a new realm of healthcare — community and public health.
During her time as an elementary school nurse, Kyra found immense satisfaction in providing essential care to students and their families. “I loved getting to know my students and families, being a source of resources and support,” she shares. With her work extending beyond traditional nursing, she often helped underserved families secure access to critical services they might have not otherwise received, such as eyeglasses, dental care, and medications. This experience inspired Kyra to pursue a new academic path, and in June, she proudly graduated with a Master’s in Public Health degree from Eastern Washington University.
Kyra’s career trajectory took another exciting turn in December 2023, when she left Children’s to join the St. Louis office of Bayada, a national home health company. Now serving as the Clinical Nursing Manager and Educator, Kyra oversees care for around 20 families, continuing her deep commitment to improving healthcare access for those most in need.
As for the future, Kyra isn’t done thinking or dreaming big. She plans to eventually combine her medical expertise with advocacy, working for an organization to advance health equity for minority women and children.
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