Celebrating Nurses Month: SMU Partners with Renowned Apparel Brand Oaklandish

Samuel Merritt University (SMU) is proud to announce its collaboration with Oaklandish, an iconic Oakland-based apparel brand, in celebration of Nurses Month.

Nurses Month, an annual observance in May, stands as a tribute to the invaluable contributions of nurses to the healthcare sector. With a legacy spanning 115 years, SMU's College of Nursing is dedicated to advancing health equity and excellence in patient care. This partnership with Oaklandish underscores a shared commitment to recognizing and honoring the dedication of nurses across California and the nation.

The collaboration between SMU's College of Nursing and Oaklandish is rooted in their mutual ties to the Oakland community. Oaklandish, known for its commitment to community upliftment, eagerly joined hands with SMU—an institution deeply embedded in Oakland's heritage—to champion diversity in healthcare and drive positive change.

The collaboration led to the creation of the "A State of Excellence" t-shirt design. Featuring iconic landmarks from the locations housing SMU's four campuses—San Francisco Peninsula, Oakland, Sacramento, and Fresno—the design pays homage to the diverse communities served by nurses. Symbolizing health equity and nursing, the design incorporates sunbeams on a horizon and a caduceus, set against SMU's signature colors blue and red with apricot representing the symbolic color of nursing.

Christine Quattro, Director for Nursing Development and Partnerships at SMU and facilitator of this new partnership, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "This collaboration is a testament to our shared values of community, diversity, and excellence in healthcare. Through initiatives like this, we not only celebrate Nurses Month but also empower the next generation of nurses to continue making a difference."

As part of the collaboration, 10% of the proceeds from the sale of the "A State of Excellence" t-shirts will be dedicated to nursing scholarships at SMU. These scholarships play a vital role in supporting the education of future nurses. These custom designed t-shirts are available for purchase on the Oaklandish website and at the Oaklandish Downtown store at 1444 Broadway starting May 8^th.

The launch of the "A State of Excellence" t-shirt collaboration coincides with Nurses Month, with the official release date set for May 8th, National Student Nurse Day. Throughout Nurses Month, SMU will host a series of events to celebrate and support nurses.

In joining forces with Oaklandish, SMU looks forward to further strengthening its ties with the Oakland community and advancing its mission of fostering a healthier, more equitable future for all.