Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Future Plans: Begin her nursing career in the cardiac intensive care unit at Saint Alphonsus, where she hopes to grow as a critical care nurse and provide compassionate, high-quality care to patients and their families. Her long-term goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).
Honored Faculty: Dr. Katherine Doyon, M.Ed, RN, CHPN, Associate Professor, School of Nursing, College of Health Sciences
Biography
Hannya Adali Ornelas is recognized for her dedication to critical care, patient advocacy and her ability to integrate clinical excellence with leadership and service. Ornelas has accepted a position as a cardiac ICU nurse, reflecting both her commitment to high-acuity care and her passion for supporting patients and families during their most vulnerable moments.
Through the Honors College, Ornelas studied abroad at the University of Oxford, where she took coursework in “Life, Death and Meaning in the Modern World,” which shaped her holistic approach to patient care. As an IFITS Scholar and undergraduate researcher, Ornelas has contributed to impactful work focused on hospice and palliative care within refugee communities, as well as the development of simulation-based patient profiles to better prepare nursing students for complex clinical scenarios. Her research has led to multiple presentations at regional, national, and international conferences, where she has contributed to advancing conversations on culturally responsive and patient-centered care.
Ornelas’ leadership centers on inclusion and community. She has been actively involved with the Boise State Student Philanthropy Board, supporting student-led projects and promoting a culture of service and giving. Deeply committed to community engagement, Ornelas has sought out opportunities to serve and lead beyond the classroom. Her time as a volunteer at Camp Hodia, working with children living with diabetes, was particularly impactful, strengthening her compassion, adaptability and dedication to patient-centered care. After graduation, she plans to continue in critical care and pursue her goal of becoming a CRNA.
Ornelas is from Boise, Idaho.
Scholarships and Awards
- Boise State Presidential Scholarship
- Bronco Shop Scholarship
- Edmund and Alice Palmatier Nursing Scholarship
- John F. Nagel Foundation Nursing Scholarship
- IDANA Rose Featherston Student Scholarship
- Mary Van Vacter Nursing Scholarship
- Saint Alphonsus Health System/Trinity Health Nursing Scholarship
- School of Nursing Scholarship
- Thelma Brown Endowed Scholarship – Honors
- Wendell and Myrtle Phillips Scholarship