In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Long sits down with Debra A. Flores, a seasoned healthcare executive and nurse leader with more than four decades of leadership experience across complex health systems.

Debra shares the defining moments that shaped her leadership journey - from early mentors who recognized her potential, to navigating personal loss, leading through the challenges of COVID-19, and embracing career opportunities far outside her comfort zone.

Together, they explore the critical need for stronger partnerships between academic institutions and healthcare organizations, discussing how earlier exposure, meaningful internships, and strategic collaboration can better prepare future nurses for the realities of healthcare.

Debra also offers valuable insights on how nurse leaders can become more effective advocates by engaging proactively with legislators and policymakers to influence the future of healthcare delivery.

This conversation is a powerful reminder that authentic leadership is built through resilience, lifelong learning, and a commitment to serving others.

Topics discussed include:

• Defining moments in executive leadership
• Leading through personal and professional adversity
• Strengthening academic and clinical partnerships
• Preparing the next generation of nurse leaders
• Influencing healthcare policy and legislation
• The importance of mentorship, growth, and lifelong learning

What does it take to go from ICU nurse to hospital CEO?

In this episode of Pulse Check, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Dr. Danielle Gabele, Chief Executive Officer of Ventura County Medical Center and Santa Paula Hospital, to discuss her unconventional journey into nursing leadership, the mentors who shaped her career, and the lessons she has learned leading at the highest levels of healthcare.

Danielle shares how an early career in business helped develop her leadership philosophy, why understanding every level of an organization matters, and how strong partnerships between healthcare systems and academic institutions can strengthen the nursing workforce pipeline. She also offers practical insights on balancing competing priorities, staying connected to a leadership "North Star," and advocating for the future of nursing through professional engagement and public policy.

Key topics include:
• Danielle's path from economics graduate to hospital CEO
• The leadership lessons she learned outside of healthcare
• Building stronger partnerships between academia and clinical practice
• Developing successful nursing workforce pipelines
• Navigating competing priorities as a healthcare executive
• The importance of mentorship in leadership development
• How nurse leaders can influence healthcare policy and regulatory decisions
• The role professional organizations play in career growth and advocacy

This conversation offers valuable insights for nurse leaders, healthcare executives, educators, and anyone aspiring to lead meaningful change in healthcare.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Karen Rea, MSN, FNP, CCHP, to discuss leadership, correctional nursing, workforce development, and the importance of bringing nursing voices to the executive table.

Karen shares her journey from neonatal intensive care nursing to statewide correctional health leadership, including her work overseeing thousands of nurses across California’s prison system. She also reflects on the lessons that shaped her leadership style, the value of humility, and why investing in staff development is one of the strongest tools for retention, quality, and cost containment.

This conversation offers a powerful look at innovation in nursing leadership, the connection between healthcare and academia, and the often-overlooked impact of correctional healthcare. 

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Garrett Chan to explore the future of nursing leadership, education, and workforce development. 

Garrett shares the defining moments that shaped his journey from bedside nurse to executive leader, including the lessons he learned about leading through influence, emotional intelligence, and consensus building. He also discusses the growing need for stronger alignment between healthcare organizations, academia, and regulatory bodies to better prepare nurses for the realities of today’s healthcare system. 

The conversation dives into the concept of creating a shared “North Star” for nursing education, the importance of real-world clinical preparation, and how nurse leaders can help shape legislation and policy that improve patient care and access across healthcare systems. 

This episode is packed with insight for nurse leaders, educators, healthcare executives, and anyone passionate about advancing the future of nursing.

What does it really mean to lead with purpose in healthcare?

On this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Joleen Lonigan to explore a leadership journey rooted in service, adaptability, and human connection.

Joleen shares how her career evolved from a clear clinical path into executive leadership - and the pivotal “pulse check” moments that shaped that transition. From navigating feedback that pushed her toward continued education, to learning how to hold space for teams during emotionally challenging times, this conversation is packed with real-world insight for leaders at every level.

They also dive into the power of connecting work to purpose - how initiatives like sustainability and patient care innovation can drive engagement, improve outcomes, and create meaningful impact across organizations and communities.

If you’re leading in healthcare (or aspiring to), this episode is a powerful reminder: leadership isn’t just about strategy - it’s about people.

What does it really take to lead in healthcare when the pressure never stops?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Wendi Thomas, Director of Patient Care Services and Nurse Executive at Shriners Children’s Northern California, to explore the realities of leadership inside today’s healthcare system.

Wendi shares her 30+ year journey from emergency room nurse to executive leadership, and the defining moments that shaped her path along the way. From navigating constant change and competing priorities to staying grounded in compassion and patient care, this conversation is packed with practical insights for leaders at every level.

They dive into the importance of aligning healthcare systems with academic institutions, developing the next generation of clinicians, and why “true north” matters more than ever in times of uncertainty. Wendi also shares powerful stories from the frontlines that highlight the real impact of policy decisions and why storytelling is one of the most important tools leaders have to influence change.

This is a thoughtful and honest conversation on leadership, resilience, and what it means to make a lasting impact in healthcare.

What does strong nursing leadership look like in today’s healthcare environment?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Theresa Murphy, Chief Nursing Officer at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, purpose, and staying grounded in high-pressure environments.

Theresa shares her journey from bedside nursing to executive leadership, the lessons learned leading through COVID, and why staying connected to frontline nurses is critical for every healthcare leader. She also opens up about building high-performing teams, the power of calm leadership, and the advice she would give her younger self.

This is an inspiring conversation for nurse leaders, healthcare executives, and anyone committed to leading with purpose and compassion. 

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Elaina McAdams, CEO of the College and University Healthcare Education Consortium, to discuss her remarkable journey from CNA and trauma nurse to healthcare executive and entrepreneur.

Elaina shares the bold career decisions that led her from traditional nursing leadership into startups, venture-backed growth, and now solving workforce challenges at scale. She opens up about choosing impact over comfort, the realities of entrepreneurship, and why leadership is about ownership, action, and creating meaningful change.

This conversation is packed with insights for nurse leaders, healthcare executives, and anyone navigating career growth with purpose.

What does it really take to grow into leadership while staying connected to your purpose?

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Kimberly Long sits down with Valerie Kaura, Associate Chief Nurse Officer at Redlands Community Hospital, to discuss her journey from LVN to executive leadership. Valerie shares how personal adversity shaped her calling to nursing, why mentorship changed the trajectory of her career, and how great leaders stay meaningfully connected to their teams.

They also explore the importance of knowing your “why,” building healthy workplace cultures, and leading with authenticity while embracing your own style. This is a powerful conversation for anyone navigating growth, leadership, and purpose in healthcare. 

Growth doesn’t happen in comfort.

In this episode of Pulse Check with Dr. Kimberly Long, Dr. Terri Lynn Hunter shares her journey from emergency nursing to executive leadership - and the pivotal moments that shaped who she is today.

After spending over two decades in a system where she was comfortable and thriving, Terri made a bold decision to step into the unknown. What followed was one of the most challenging - and transformative - periods of her career.

This conversation dives into:

•  Why the biggest growth comes from choosing discomfort 
•  How mentorship shapes leadership and purpose 
•  What it really means to “take a pulse check” in your career 
•  Practical advice for young and emerging healthcare leaders 

Terri also shares a powerful reminder: you don’t need to be perfect to lead - you just need to be willing to grow.

If you’re navigating change, questioning your next move, or looking to expand your leadership impact, this episode will hit home.