Alexander Sanchez, a doctor of nursing practice student at the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing and registered nurse, has been named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 — Healthcare list for his contributions to mental health access and nurse-led innovation.
Sanchez’s journey to the 30 Under 30 list began on the front lines of health care. As a critical care nurse and ICU travel nurse during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he witnessed firsthand the challenges facing patients and providers. As a charge nurse in a mental health care clinic, he saw a troubling pattern: patients in acute psychiatric distress were stabilized and discharged, only to return due to the lack of outpatient follow-up care. These experiences shaped his clinical philosophy and sparked a vision for a new model of care; one that prioritizes continuity, accessibility and equity.
In 2022, Sanchez turned his vision into reality by founding Nu Leaf Mental Health Group, a health care company providing a comprehensive range of outpatient psychiatric services online and in person. With no outside investors, Sanchez self-funded and built Nu Leaf from the ground up while continuing to work as a nurse. What began as a solo endeavor has grown into a multimillion-dollar, nurse-led organization serving patients across more than 40 counties in California.
Read more about Sanchez’s honor on the Joe C. Wen School of Nursing website.