Residents
Cindy Benavides
Academic Year 2024
Cindy Benavides completed her BSN from Salem State University in 2018. Her passion for community health began while on a Cultural Immersion and Service Learning trip to the Sickle Cell Anemia Research Institute in Jamaica during her undergraduate studies. Cindy completed a nursing residency program at Lahey Hospital & Medical Center in Neurology and went on to work in neurology critical care for 3 years. She has also worked in psychiatry and home care.
In 2022, Cindy earned her MSN from Simmons University and is excited to begin her journey as an FNP resident at Codman Square Health Center and serve underrepresented communities. As a Hispanic provider, she brings in culturally competent care that is indispensable in tackling health disparities and promoting healthy communities.
Prior to nursing school, Cindy worked as a medical assistant at Peabody Community Health Center for five years, where she helped develop and implement a Diabetes QI Project for Latino patients. Cindy is bilingual and speaks English and Spanish. Her interests including immigrant health, substance abuse, women’s health, and urgent care. Outside of work, she enjoys singing karaoke, dancing, and spending time with family.
Cathyana Jean-Baptiste
Academic Year 2024
Cathyana Jean-Baptiste graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her undergraduate studies in biology, she worked as a community health worker and certified nursing assistant in Greater Boston for four years.
Cathyana developed an interest in community health and pursued a Master’s in Nursing from Simmons University in 2022. She has worked on a medical-surgical unit for two years as a nurse.
Cathyana is excited to be a Family Nurse Practitioner Resident at Codman Square Health Center. She is fluent in Haitian Creole and has a variety of interests, including women’s health, pediatrics, family medicine, and urgent care. Cathyana also enjoys traveling, spending time with her family, and listening to
Tatiana Lucien
Academic Year 2023
Tatiana Lucien completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Curry College in 2015. Tatiana completed a nursing residency at Boston Medical Center and proceeded to work on a cardiac medical-surgical unit for six years, including a role as a charge nurse and as a preceptor. At BMC, Tatiana was able to pursue her passion for providing high quality, evidence-based care to diverse patient populations. Wanting to continue this passion while increasing autonomy and learning more about medicine, Tatiana pursued a master’s in nursing at the University of Massachusetts Boston, graduating in 2021. Tatiana is thrilled to be joining the Codman Square Health Center team as a Family Nurse Practitioner Resident. She knows this program will help her to quickly grow into an independent clinician who cares for the population she loves. Tatiana speaks conversational Haitian Creole and has many interests including cardiology, dermatology, urgent care, and women’s health. Outside of the clinic, Tatiana enjoys traveling, spending time at the beach, and listening to music.
Florence Okonkwo
Academic Year 2023
Florence Okonkwo completed her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry and Medical Laboratory Sciences in Nigeria, Africa. She soon immigrated to the United States where she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and a mental health counselor, simultaneously pursuing an undergraduate degree in nursing. As a nurse, Florence worked in a variety of settings including in psychiatry, as a visiting nurse, and as a rehab nurse. Florence found her home when she joined the Codman Square Health Center team in 2017 as an HIV nurse case manager. In this role, Florence could be true to her passion of working with underserved communities. Florence holds numerous awards, but one of particular significance is Codman’s 2021 Health Center Hero Award for Outstanding Performance. Florence is fluent in both English and Igbo. Outside of the clinic, Florence enjoys music, singing in the choir, and spending quality time with her family.
Kanisha Louis Jean
Academic Year 2022
Kanisha Louis Jean is a Haitian-American woman born and raised in Dorchester, MA. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from UMass Amherst, which is where she found her passion for sexual health education, youth development, racial justice, and health equity. Prior to entering the field of nursing, Kanisha served in the AmeriCorps, worked as a Sexual Health Counselor, and worked in a variety of community and school-based settings. Kanisha earned her Master’s in Nursing from Simmons University in 2021 and is excited about working as a Family Nurse Practitioner in the community where she was born. As an NP, Kanisha continues to explore her special interests in the fields of adolescent health, women’s health, and sexual health. Outside of work, Kanisha loves dancing to Caribbean beats, sun-bathing at the beach, and traveling.
Esther Tan
Academic Year 2022
After completing her undergraduate studies in Biochemistry, Esther pursued a degree in Clinical Counseling in order to work with urban families and youth. Her passion in working with urban and marginalized communities led her to pursue her Master’s degree in Nursing at Boston College. She brings her experiences from In-Home Therapy Services, crisis counseling and case management to her nursing practice. Esther is passionate about practicing integrative health, pursuing social justice, and bridging the gap between mental and physical health. Outside the clinic, she enjoys finding new hiking trails with her husband and golden retriever, and reading new books.
Nnemdi Azubuko
Academic Year 2021
Nnemdi Azubuko is native of Dorchester and completed her undergraduate degree in Massachusetts at Bridgewater State University. While pursuing her MSN at Yale School of Nursing, Nnemdi developed an interest in providing care for all marginalized communities and completed additional coursework in gender and health justice to become more knowledgeable on providing care to individuals living with HIV/AIDs, substance use disorder and members of the LGBTQIA communities. Nnemdi enjoys spending time with her family and friends and cooking.
Marta Escriu-Suñé
Academic Year 2021
Marta Escriu-Suñé was born and raised in Catalonia, Spain. After completing her undergraduate studies in biology she served two years in AmeriCorps, working as a community health worker with adults and families experiencing homelessness in Boston. During this time she became interested in health promotion and health equity, leading her to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at UMass Medical School. While in school she volunteered with a global health group, training community health workers in the Dominican Republic to manage hypertension among Haitian migrant workers. Marta has worked as both a case manager and nurse at two community health centers in Boston prior to joining the Codman Square team as an FNP Resident. She is especially interested in women’s health, immigrant health, and addiction medicine. Outside of the clinic she enjoys hiking, reading, art, and dancing.