Health Education That Transforms Lives
Scholarships and mentorship for aspiring healthcare professionals in underserved communities. We empower high school and university students with academic resources and expert guidance to turn their passion into real health impact in their communities. Apply for a ScholarshipDonate NowAbout Us
Born from Omelly Domínguez dedication to both medicine and education, our Foundation empowers promising young people from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in healthcare. By combining tailored scholarships with expert mentorship and hands-on community experience, we remove financial obstacles and nurture the skills, academic, ethical and interpersonal, that today’s health professionals need. Every partnership, workshop and support network we build is designed to ensure our scholars graduate as confident, culturally attuned practitioners ready to transform the well-being of their communities.
Our Guiding Principles
Committed to accessible, excellent, and inclusive healthcare education.
Mission
Founded by Dr. Omelly Domínguez, the Foundation’s mission is to remove financial barriers so that talented young people can pursue healthcare careers with significant social impact.
Vision
We envision a future in which diversity and clinical excellence coexist, ensuring that every patient is cared for by professionals who are both culturally competent and scientifically trained.
Core Values
Compassion
Academic Excellence
Diversity & Inclusion
Integrity
Educational Innovation
With your donation today, you empower future healthcare professionals and build stronger communities.
Our story
The Omelly Domínguez Foundation is a scholarship foundation established in honor of Omelly Domínguez, an aspiring Paterson Honors College nursing student who passed away tragically. Omelly’s deep love for caring for others, her compassion, and her desire to make a meaningful impact in people’s lives drew her naturally to the healthcare profession.
Omelly grew up in Secaucus, New Jersey, and was a top graduate of Union City High School, where she demonstrated outstanding leadership and academic excellence. She proudly served as an officer of HOSA – Health Occupations Students of America, an international student organization dedicated to promoting career opportunities in the healthcare field and developing future health professionals.
The Foundation was created to honor Omelly’s legacy by providing scholarships and educational opportunities to high school seniors and undergraduate students pursuing careers in health professions. Our mission is to remove financial barriers, promote education, foster community stewardship, and support the next generation of healthcare leaders — with a strong focus on empowering minority students.
Through this work, the Omelly Domínguez Foundation continues Omelly’s dream: serving others, uplifting communities, and creating lasting impact through healthcare and education.
Educate
We support the academic growth of students who want to pursue a career in healthcare, helping them achieve their dream of contributing to their communities.
Support
We support students by facilitating access to scholarships and educational opportunities through healthcare organizations, community partnerships, and professional connections.
Community
We foster a network of individuals committed to student success, creating spaces for collaboration, mentorship, and support that encourage academic and professional growth.
Management Team
Meet the talented leaders and dedicated experts whose combined experience, passion, and vision are driving our mission to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals and strengthen communities.
Juana E. Arias-Dominguez
President & CEO
Educator since 2002 with advanced degrees in Spanish and Educational Leadership. Former NJ International Book Fair director. Founded the Foundation to honor her daughter Omelly by providing nursing scholarships to underrepresented students.
Yamilet Sanchez Nunez
Education & Marketing Specialist
Marketing graduate from PUCMM (1997) with early roles at Banco de Reservas, Acrison, and Plasplugs. Since 2001 she’s taught business, earned a real estate license, and founded a finance and real estate coaching practice, inspiring others daily.
Anny J. Fernandez
Business & Managed Care Professional
Bachelor’s in BBA and Trade from St. Peter’s College (2002) with 20 years in managed care. Passionate about servant leadership, she supports students’ access to higher education through collaboration and accountability, creating opportunities that inspire future leaders.
Caroline Westin-García
Naturopathic Doctor & Health Science Educator
ND and MS in Human Nutrition with 20+ years in women’s health, integrating science-based nutrition, holistic medicine, and coaching. Health science instructor, HOSA advisor, and 2025–26 Governor’s Educator of the Year at Union City High School.
Velez
Community Leader & Advocate
Dominican-born, New Jersey–raised leader with an MBA in Finance. Chief of Staff to the Hudson County Board of Commissioners and former VP of the Dominican American Parade of Hudson County, she is dedicated to empowering youth through education and community engagement.
Join Our Mission
Be part of a dedicated team committed to empowering the next generation of healthcare professionals. As a volunteer, you’ll help create opportunities, share your expertise, and make a lasting impact in the community. Sign up today and turn your passion for service into meaningful change.
Impact in Numbers
5
Scholarships awarded
8
Scholarships since 2022
$5,000
$ invested in 2 schools
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Events & News
Stay up to date with our upcoming events and latest news.
Stories of Impact
Hear directly from our scholarship recipients about how the Omelly Domínguez Foundation is helping them pursue their dreams and make a difference in their communities.
Vanessa Fuentes
Hi, my name is Vanessa, and I am a proud recipient of the Omelly Dominguez Scholarship. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to continue my education with financial support. One of my biggest concerns when starting college was being able to afford the necessary supplies and expenses. This scholarship has not only lightened that burden but has also motivated me to keep striving toward my goals. I’m excited to begin my fall semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University, where I will be majoring in Nursing with the support of this generous scholarship.
Camila Suarez
I am extremely grateful to be recognized for the Omelly Dominguez Foundation Scholarship. I received this award my senior year of high school, when I was a soon to be nursing student at Fairleigh Dickinson University and it has impacted my journey into the healthcare field significantly. With this award, I was able to obtain the resources needed for my studies as well as school supplies I may need, especially for my requisites. Receiving this recognition also gave me great confidence that I can achieve my goals and brighten my future. Now I am one step closer to becoming the nurse I aspire to be and help others, especially in my community, who are in need.
Join and Request Information
Fill out this form to request information, join as a volunteer, or apply for our programs.
Omelly Domínguez Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All donations are tax-deductible under U.S. law.