She was raised in foster care and wasn’t permitted to pursue college when she graduated from high school at the age of 15. In her early 20’s, she fled an abusive marriage. She then raised three children on her own while working fulltime and pursuing a college education. And now Adonica Kauwe Tuitama is only weeks away from attaining dual doctoral degrees— both a doctorate of nursing practice, DNP, and a Ph.D. focused on diabetes in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations. She will be the first University of Utah student to graduate in this dual doctorate program. 

Where did it all start? Adonica first earned an MBA with an emphasis in accounting. She got a job  in the president’s office at Utah Valley University and enjoyed the work. But Adonica had received feedback from mentors that she had greater potential. “It came to me when I was volunteering with AmeriCorps,” said Adonica. “We were working with children from Uganda and they needed to be vaccinated. There was no nurse available, so I gave them their shots. That’s when I knew I wanted to be a nurse.” 

Having received her Bachelor of Nursing, Adonica first worked in the University of Utah Hospital for several years. She then served a medical mission in Samoa, where she saw first-hand the impacts of diabetes on this population. “There were so many people with advanced cases, people who needed amputations due to diabetic ulcers and who were really suffering,” Adonica explained. “Seeing these people so terribly ill fueled my need to research the link between diabetes and the Pacific Islander population. That’s when I applied to grad school in the School of Nursing.”  

How does a person with all of these life challenges rise-up and go on to earn dual doctorate degrees? Adonica gets emotional when she describes her journey. “I couldn’t have done it without help from some very special people,” Adonica recalled with tears brimming. “These are people who have made sacrifices in order to make my education possible. These are people who allowed my children to nap under my desk, so that I could attend class—people who told me they would do anything for me if it would mean my getting my degree.” 

“Lorelei is one of the people who has profoundly touched me. During the pandemic I was so isolated. But Lorelei was there by my side, helping me with my dissertation and teaching me how to cite sources and build a bibliography. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Lorelei.” 

Adonica went on to describe her relationship with librarian Lorelei Rutledge, “Lorelei is one of the people who has profoundly touched me. During the pandemic I was so isolated. But Lorelei was there by my side, helping me with my dissertation and teaching me how to cite sources and build a bibliography. I wouldn’t be where I am today without Lorelei.”  

Yes, Adonica’s story is one a person never forgets. But her story isn’t complete. She will go on to conduct more research; she will continue to treat ill people and educate patients, and she’ll pass on her knowledge to up-and-coming nursing students.  

There’s no doubt that Adonica’s story has many more chapters to go.