Dream Of Nurse Who Died Of Coronavirus Lives On In Scholarship

TAMPA, FL — Veronica Valencia Victoria said it's not often that someone crosses your path who inspires, challenges and changes the lens through which you view life.

"To his family and friends, Miguel Martinez Jr. was that person," Victoria said of her friend.

After graduating with a degree in nursing from the University of South Florida, Martinez worked for two years as a registered nurse at HealthPark Medical Center in Fort Myers. Then, he followed his dream of helping kids, working in the pediatric intensive care unit at Golisano Children's Hospital of Southwest Florida in Port Charlotte.

Now there is one less front-line health care provider in the war against the coronavirus.

In July, Martinez died after battling the virus he was helping to combat. He was 28 years old.

To honor her friend and keep his memory alive, this month Victoria established a memorial scholarship in Martinez's name through the USF Foundation.

"His family and friends want to commemorate his life while making it easier for students facing social and economic barriers to pursue an education in nursing at USF," she said. "We wanted to make sure that Miguel's story lives on."

Martinez was just 14 years old when his father, an immigrant, died of cancer, leaving him with the overwhelming task of supporting his five siblings and mother.

While harvesting strawberries and other produce as a farmworker to earn money to feed his family, Martinez somehow managed to maintain good grades in school. He was anxious to fulfill his father's dream for him to one day attend college, said Victoria.

It was a banner day for the Martinez family when he graduated from high school and headed to the University of South Florida in Tampa to obtain a degree in nursing and public health.

"He wasn't satisfied to just earn good grades while pursuing his bachelor's degree," Victoria said. "He left his mark at USF by leading several organizations, including founding his own: Members Empowering True Awareness, an organization that advocated for the farm-working community."

His professors, supervisors and co-workers remember Martinez as a caring person with a strong work ethic.

“Miguel was one of my students, and he was such a beautiful, kind soul,” said June A. Graney, a USF nursing professor. “What a huge loss for his family, friends and the nursing community.”

“Miguel was a truly wonderful co-worker and nurse,” Cassie Maselter said. “I will miss hearing his laugh and smile the most. His personality was contagious.”

"Although we all met Miguel at different points in our lives, we had the fortune of sharing countless memories with him and were all equally inspired by his story," Victoria said.

Victoria said Martinez never thought twice about working in the health care field during a global pandemic. In fact, she said he was dedicated to helping those stricken with the virus.

"While the scholarship cannot replace him, it will help aspiring nursing students to continue to help patients just like Miguel did," said Victoria.

All funds collected for the memorial scholarship will go to the USF Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the university, which supports students, academic initiatives and other university priorities.