Dayanara Nieto Flores, MPH is a dedicated health scientist and community advocate committed to expanding health equity and healthcare access for vulnerable populations. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from California State University, Los Angeles in 2022. While pursuing her Executive MPH at UCLA, Dayanara served full-time as a Wellness Navigator at The Wellness Center in Los Angeles, leading community outreach and program management initiatives to empower local families and individuals.

Shortly before completing her EMPH degree in 2025, Dayanara was appointed as a Health Science Specialist with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

During her time at UCLA, Dayanara collaborated on impactful clinical and community-focused initiatives. For her summer applied consulting project, she partnered with classmates Daisy Wang and Nicole Morales to work alongside LA General Medical Center, developing strategies to improve care transitions and connect emergency department patients with accessible primary care resources. Additionally, Dayanara, Daisy, and Nicole teamed up for the EMPH Sinaiko Business Plan Competition to launch Beyond Feet, an innovative street-medicine concept integrating specialized podiatric care with social support services to enhance the health and dignity of unhoused individuals.

“The EMPH program has been vital in deepening my understanding of the complexities within the health system and highlighting the areas where significant work is needed,” she shared. “I look forward to furthering my career growth and applying the knowledge I gain to make meaningful healthcare changes.”