TAMPA, Fla. — Nurses, students and community leaders gathered to celebrate the Haitian American Nurses Association of Tampa (HANA)'s 10 years of service to the community.

The nonprofit group held their annual HANA Fundraising and Scholarship Gala on Saturday night. The group was founded to create a network of support for Haitian American nurses.

Thousands of dollars in scholarships were awarded to nursing students in the Bay area.

Throughout the last decade, the group of nurses played a critical role in serving the Haitian community, especially in the aftermath of two earthquakes, COVID-19, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis Haiti is experiencing at the moment.

“The biggest goal, though, is to serve our community and mainly the Haitian population," said HANA founder Shakema Doreus, RN, BSN, MHA. "There is such an underserved community, especially with now with all these immigrants coming over who need the help, who need the support, who need someone to guide them through the health care system. This is where we come in, and we kind of help serve that community. And it gives you joy helping someone in need."

HANA of Tampa is one of 10 adjunct chapters of the international association.

The gala was hosted by Spectrum News' Fadia Patterson.