Viergela N. Calixte was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has a deep passion for women's health and pursued nursing school with the goal of becoming a nurse midwife. After earning her BSN, she discovered the challenges of entering a labor and delivery unit and spent 12 years working in Neuro, Critical Care, and Trauma units. In December 2014, she graduated with her MSN from the University of Cincinnati and became a Family Nurse Practitioner in 2015, specializing in Pain Management since then.

Viergela is a proud mother of four—three boys and one girl. Her journey into motherhood included personal challenges, including postpartum depression and anxiety following the birth of her daughter. Her daughter’s birth was an extraordinary experience, as she delivered her in a car an hour after being turned away from the hospital.

During her pregnancy with her daughter, Viergela experienced firsthand the disparities in healthcare faced by Black women. This difficult time, marked by loneliness and the challenges of navigating postpartum depression alone, motivated her to become an advocate for mothers dealing with postpartum challenges. She joined Postpartum Support International (PSI) to spread awareness, educate providers, and advocate for policies that promote inclusive and equitable healthcare for all women, particularly minority women.

Viergela is an active member of various nursing organizations and enjoys nature, hiking, cooking, fine dining, writing, and the Arts. She is passionate about serving the state of Arizona alongside her fellow PSI board members.

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