“The real reward of earning a PhD is who you become in the process.”
Roque Anthony Velasco has been very reflective on his journey to earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), focusing on Health Care Systems Research, from the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing.
“You become more thoughtful and think critically. It helps you stay grounded as a scholar. Earning a PhD has truly opened new doors for me,” he says. “I’ve gained so much, and what I’ve learned has bridged the gap between research and practice.”
Velasco works as the medical director of a large Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Southern California. He’s the first – and only – nurse to have that role at the center and oversees transgender health programs across more than two-dozen clinics.
“As a nurse, I get to meet people where they are and offer care that honors their identity and lived experience,” he says. “I’m able to see the direct impact of compassion and advocacy in action.”
Informing Policy Through Research
Velasco’s dissertation and research focused on improving access to primary care for transgender and gender-diverse people in the Inland Empire, a large metro area just east of Los Angeles in Southern California.
“Being trusted with people’s stories is a privilege,” he said. “It’s incredibly meaningful to know that my research can inform practice, shape policy, and ultimately improve care for historically minoritized populations.”
“One thing that resonated with me was the college’s strong emphasis on health equity and community-engaged research,” he says. “Those things align with my personal and professional research goals. I really wanted to be part of CU Anschutz Nursing’s trailblazing tradition.”
Velasco hopes his research will expand to other areas of Southern California – or even across the US.
“By being a nurse researcher, the reward comes from transforming individual experiences of these patients into knowledge that can drive systemic change,” he says. “The data we have isn’t just results – it’s a way to create change that can impact people’s lives.”
Velasco sees his two roles as a nurse researcher and a nurse still in clinical practice as a way to bridge the gap so “nursing can remain grounded in humanity while leading the way in innovation and justice.”
Supportive Mentors
Velasco started the PhD program in the Fall of 2020 during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was really challenging,” he says. “But it made me realize how important it is to find your people and stay grounded. You need to build a supportive community of peers, mentors, and colleagues who celebrate your wins and walk you through the hard days.”
What helped him through the program was support from his mentors and the college’s commitment to advancing nursing through practice and policy.
“I was so impressed with how faculty could translate research into tangible improvements in care delivery and patient outcomes,” he says.
Velasco credits his supportive mentors at CU Anschutz Nursing, including Doctors Kate Coleman-Minahan, Scott Harpin, and Christina Sun, and one of his external dissertation committee members, Dr. Ethan Cicero from Emory University, for emphasizing how transformative nursing research could be.
"The support and mentorship I received from Drs. Coleman-Minahan, Harpin, Sun, and Cicero helped shape how I approach my research: intentional, community-based, and responsive to the needs of the community," he says. “They are so committed to advancing nursing science that directly informs policy and practice. They’ve taught me nursing research is more than just theory – it’s about transforming care and advancing patient equity."
