Biography

Victoria Baptiste, BSN, RN, is a nurse living in Baltimore County, Maryland, committed to educating, empowering, and mobilizing patient advocates, healthcare providers, clinicians, researchers, community leaders, and policymakers to increase access to high-quality care for all people. From clinical trial participation and management to serving on the frontlines of the pandemic to increase vaccine confidence and equity, she works to reach her patients in community settings as a traveling nurse. Victoria also serves as Senior Advisor to the Lacks family-led HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Initiative, is honored to serve as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination, and was humbled to be named to the BBC 100 Women 2022 list recognizing inspiring and influential women from around the world.

Early on, she was inspired by her grandfather Lawrence Lacks, Sr.’s father, David "Day" Lacks, Victoria became a Registered Nurse to ensure that all patients are treated with respect and dignity. She is committed to educating and empowering patients to understand their care.

Victoria travels the world speaking on Henrietta Lacks’ legacy, her family's experience in biomedical research, clinical trial diversity, informed consent, patient-centered care, medical ethics, health equity, social justice, and deliberative community engagement techniques to build trust in this modern era of precision medicine. In 2016, Victoria was proud to represent The Lacks Family at the historic passing of the U.S. Congressional Resolution Recognizing the Life and Legacy of Henrietta Lacks in honor of Women’s History Month.

Today, Victoria works as a traveling nurse administering the COVID-19 and now Monkeypox vaccines at schools, libraries, and community centers throughout Maryland. She brings this insight to her role as a Senior Advisor to the Lacks Family-led “HELA UNITE” program, aimed at increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence and equity. Victoria also leads in the development of HELA100's HPV and Cervical Cancer projects aimed at educating youth, women, families and health care provided to end disparities. 

Victoria began her journey in the field as a Medical Assistant and started her nursing studies at Baltimore City Community College. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University. Victoria aims to advance her nursing career by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree to continue improving the quality of patients’ lives, communities, and healthcare institutions. She previously served as the charge nurse of a chronic dialysis center and an acute nurse at various Baltimore City hospital dialysis centers. 

She is committed to empowering the next generation of health care leaders and serves on the Henrietta Lacks Dunbar Health Science Scholarship committee. Victoria, an avid reader, also serves on the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committee's Literature - Fiction Panel.

As a proud “Lacks woman,” Victoria is a wife and mother of two, living and working in Baltimore County, Maryland - serving the very community Henrietta Lacks raised her children.