Our Founding Story and Mission
Adelante Mujer, Inc.—which translates to “Advance Woman”—was founded in 2009 by Sister Ann McKean, CSA, whose lifelong commitment to education and justice led her to recognize a profound need. During a visit to Nicaragua, Sister Ann met a bright and determined young woman—an academically gifted high school graduate who dreamed of attending university but lacked the financial means to make that dream a reality.
Moved by this encounter, and as a university professor herself, Sister Ann was inspired to do what she could to change that reality—not just for one student, but for as many young Nicaraguan women as possible who shared the same aspirations and faced the same barriers. From that spark of compassion and action, Adelante Mujer was born.
Recognizing the urgent shortage of medical doctors along Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast—a region where healthcare access remains critically limited—Adelante Mujer chose to focus its mission specifically on supporting women pursuing medical degrees. These young women not only bring talent and drive but also a deep personal commitment to return home and serve their communities with skill, compassion, and cultural understanding.
How We Support Future Doctors and Nurses
Becoming a doctor in Nicaragua requires six years of rigorous medical study at URACCAN University’s School of Intercultural Medicine, followed by one year of hospital internship and two years of social service at clinics and hospitals designated by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health. It is a long and challenging road—but one made even more difficult for those who cannot afford the necessary tuition, school supplies, medical equipment, and daily living costs.
That is where Adelante Mujer steps in.
Each month, our students receive financial support that helps cover these essential expenses, including a nutritious meal each school day—an often-overlooked but critical part of sustaining focus and health during their demanding studies. Without this assistance, many of these young women would be forced to abandon their dreams of becoming doctors.
In 2014, the first eight Adelante Mujer students achieved their dream, graduating as medical doctors and taking the age-old Hippocratic Oath. Since that joyful day, seven more classes of students have followed in their footsteps. As of February 22, 2025, 95 women supported by Adelante Mujer have earned their medical degrees—each one now a source of hope and healing in communities that need them most.
Today, 67 young women are currently enrolled in medical school through our program, alongside 6 nursing students in Guatemala—each one on her own courageous journey toward becoming a healthcare professional.
The Power of Your Support
None of this is possible without the generosity of donors who believe, as we do, that every woman deserves the chance to rise, to lead, and to serve. Every donation—large or small—directly impacts the education of these future doctors and nurses, helping to bring skilled, compassionate healthcare to the people of Nicaragua’s Caribbean Coast and beyond.
Together, we are not just funding education.
We are investing in lives.
We are investing in health.
We are investing in hope.
Thank you for being part of this story.
our timeline:
2025
- Six women graduate in February, bringing our total number of doctors to 95!
- 73 women are supported monthly, all studying to be doctors or nurses
2024
- Adelante Mujer launches a new partnership to fund nursing students in Santa Apolonia, Guatemala
- Adelante Mujer celebrates our 15 year anniversary with a huge party held at Marian University
- 14 new graduates brought the total number of doctors funded by Alelante Mujer to 89!
- The Board of Directors created a 3-year strategic plan
- Kaitlyn Boscaljon is hired as the new Executive Director
- Political tensions in Nicaragua continue to make the travel imposible.
- Alelante Mujer launches a new mission and vision statement along with a new logo
2023
- To date, 75 doctors have benefited by Adelante Mujer funding
- 50 medical students receive money to help pay their monthly expenses
- Due to recurrence of cancer, Karen Heuberger resigned and Sister Diane Bauknecht, CSA has returned as Executive Director
2022
- Total number of Adelante Mujer doctors rose to 70
- Dr. Ana C. earned the title of pediatric specialist, a second Adelante Mujer specialist
- 44 students were funded each semester
- Semester visits did not occur due to Covid and tensions in Nicaragua
2021
- Seven new doctors brought the total funded by Adelante Mujer to 61
- Doctor Joice became the first Adelante Mujer doctor to become a specialist, a pediatrician
- 45 students received funding
- Karen Heuberger was hired as the third Executive Director following Sister Ann McKean, CSA and Sister Diane Bauknecht, CSA
2020
- Nine students became doctors on February 21, 2020
- 42 women were in the Adelante Mujer program in semester one
- Sister Ann McKean, CSA, PhD was featured by the Illuminating Women Project for her unique Adelante Mujer initiative to financially assist women medical students in Nicaragua
- On April 11 Sister Ann McKean, CSA entered her heavenly home
- 49 students were recipients of Adelante Mujer funding for semester two
- Adelante Mujer “International Headquarters” moved to Main Street in Fond du Lac
2019
- Adelante Mujer was recognized for its “unconditional support for women medical students in the Intercultural Medicine Program” of URACCAN University in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua
- Adelante Mujer observed its Tenth Anniversary since its inception in 2009
- 38 medical students were in the Adelante Mujer program
- Board of Directors accepted Sister Ann McKean’s, CSA retirement letter and named Sister Diane Bauknecht, CSA to succeed her as Executive Director, effective April 1, 2019. As Foundress of the program, Sister Ann was named Emerita Member of the Board
- Fourteen students became medical doctors on March 23, 2019, making the total 45
2018
- All 8 members of the 2014 class completed post-doctoral requirements and received licenses to practice medicine in Nicaragua
- A total of 42 medical students were funded through 2018
- February 24, nine students graduated, becoming medical doctors, bringing the total to 31
- Due to civil unrest in Nicaragua, the first semester trip to Bilwi/Puerto Cabezas was cancelled
2017
- The Board of Directors Development Committee prepared the first annual report
- The 2014 class of 8 doctors entered its second of a two-year social service requirement of the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health for fully licensed physicians
- 30 women were medical students during semester one of 2017 and 8 more were added the second semester
2016
- December 5, nine students graduated bringing the total number to 22
- Executive, Finance, and Development Committees were established
- Twenty-eight students continued to be sponsored by our donors
- On January 27, five students took the Hippocratic Oath and became medical doctors. They began their internship at the local hospital in February
- The eight doctors of 2014 began their two years of required social service in clinics and hospitals assigned by the Nicaraguan Ministry of Health
- Thirteen medical doctors served in various venues of Eastern Nicaragua
- Twenty-three students were awarded funding for the first semester
- The Strategic Planning Committee initiated its work, to be updated at every meeting of the Board of Directors
- Two new members were added to the Board of Directors bringing the number to nine
2015
- Seventeen students received funding during the first semester, 4 more added the second semester
- Thanks to the donated time and expertise of a generous friend and benefactor, a website was launched
- An accounting computer program was adopted for financial record keeping and reporting
- The Board of Directors engaged in a Strategic Planning Retreat to begin a design for the long-term future of Adelante Mujer
2014
- An Executive Team and a Board of Directors were named
- Adelante Mujer became a corporation and received 501(c)(3) tax exempt status
- Twelve students were supported for semester one, 16 for semester two
- The first class of eight Adelante Mujer students graduated on December 12, 2014 as medical doctors
2013
- The number of medical recipients of funding rose to 12
- The decision was made to fund only female medical students
2012
- Thanks to the large grant we were able to support a total of ten medical students
- Adelante Mujer received a large grant
2011
- Four female medical students were added in the first and six more in the second semester
- Numerous donations and one small grant were received to help fund the growing number of students
2010
- The first student, a woman, was awarded funding from Adelante Mujer
- Sister Ann began to solicit funds to financially assist young women medical students in eastern Nicaragua
2009
- Adelante Mujer was founded by Sister Ann
- The Congregation of Sisters of St. Agnes approved the venture
- Sister Ann McKean, CSA researched universities and towns in eastern Nicaragua and chose URACCAN in Bilwi/Puerto Cabezas as a partner for Adelante Mujer