Dr. Aisha Brooks, founder of VitalVoice Nursing and former U.S. Public Health Service chief nurse, shares how nurses can lead systemic change through equity-centered, compassionate leadership.

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Vitor Oliveira, an acting instructor at the University of Washington School of Nursing and an exercise scientist dedicated to improving the physical function and quality of life of people living with HIV. Dr. Oliveira’s personal and professional journey is deeply intertwined, having discovered he was HIV-positive at just 21. This life-changing moment fueled his passion for research and advocacy, driving him to focus on the relationship between HIV and physical function, and how exercise interventions can improve health outcomes for others living with the virus, particularly marginalized populations who often lack access to quality healthcare and resources.

Dr. Oliveira completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in kinesiology in his native Brazil, and today he leads research efforts in the U.S., including the PROSPER-HIV and HEALTH studies.

Join us as Dr. Oliveira opens up about his personal journey with HIV, his dedication to research, and his mission to help others thrive. Plus, he shares how his love for volleyball, outdoor adventures, and travel keep him balanced beyond the lab.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Alexi Vasbinder, an assistant professor at the UW School of Nursing, who is on a mission to improve the lives of cancer survivors. She researches heart-related side effects of cancer and cancer treatments, developing smart ways to predict and reduce those risks. Dr. Vasbinder also shares her journey into nursing research, highlights the cutting-edge digital health intervention she presented at the 2024 Nursing Dawg Tank competition, and discusses how mentors have been key to her success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about passion, innovation, and the power of mentorship!

In this episode of Voices of Nursing, we sit down with Anita Souza from the UW School of Nursing, alongside two passionate leaders from Compass Housing Alliance—Liz Jarrad, director of advancement, and Tina Ellison, director of housing services. Together, they dive into the transformative work they're doing to support unhoused older adults in Seattle and the Puget Sound region. Their conversation is filled with hope, dedication, and a deep commitment to making a real difference in the lives of those who need it most.

From the perspective of a health psychologist's lens, Dr. Sharon Laing engages in health services and healthcare systems research targeting minoritized communities. She shares her research philosophy and gives advice to future nurse health services researchers.

Dr. Laing is an associate professor of Nursing and Healthcare Leadership at the University of Washington, Tacoma (UWT), adjunct associate professor in the School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, and associate faculty at Harborview Injury and Prevention Research Center (HIPRC).

Dr. Weichao Yuwen, associate professor at the School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership on the UW Tacoma campus and adjunct associate professor of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, and Priscilla Carmiol Rodriguez, a PhD student in Nursing Science at the UW School of Nursing and a de Tornyay Center for Healthy Aging pre-doctoral scholar, join us to discuss their research. They detail their current work in technology-enabled health solutions for supporting communities. Recently, they won the 2023 UW School of Nursing Dawg Tank competition for their innovative chatbot, COCO, which combines cutting-edge conversational AI technologies, evidence-based therapies, and tailored insights from top care professionals.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Dr. Oleg Zaslavsky, director of the University of Washington Digital Health Innovation Hub, as he shares his passion for gerontological nursing with a special focus on frailty. In this episode, Dr. Zaslavsky reveals how he creates accessible and user-friendly technology to support older adults in understanding their health journey. Through participatory and human-centered design, he empowers patients and healthcare professionals alike. Dr. Zaslavsky also highlights the mission of the Digital Health Innovation Hub, which aims to offer students opportunities to learn about digital health innovation, showcase technologies developed by nursing faculty, and support broader communities and industries through the ideation and implementation of digital health solutions.

Elaine Walsh, PhD, RN, PMHCNS-BC, an ANCC Certified Clinical Specialist at the University of Washington School of Nursing, shares her research on building nurse resiliency, preventing burnout, and practicing self-care in fast-paced healthcare environments. Walsh also discusses the need for policy changes at the management level to better support nurse mental health as well as increased funding for students and future nurse leaders.

Epidemiologist and health informatician Lydia Drumright shares her inspiring career journey and pioneering efforts to merge technology with clinical practice. She discusses her work on the Clinical Opioid Summary with Prescription Integration (COSRI) app, a cutting-edge tool designed to integrate advanced technology into clinical workflows to enhance healthcare outcomes. Lydia explains how COSRI supports healthcare providers by promoting appropriate opioid prescribing practices. Whether you're a healthcare professional, a tech enthusiast, or curious about the future of nursing, this conversation promises to inform and inspire you.

Dr. Monica McLemore, PhD, MPH, RN, is a leading scholar in antiracist birth equity research, community-informed methods, and policy translation. In Part 1 of our interview, released on May 22, 2024, Dr. McLemore discussed the pivotal moments that inspired her journey and her evolution into a nurse researcher and advocate. In Part 2, she dives into important topics on reproductive health, rights, and justice.