Betty Irene Moore Fellows collaborate on American Heart Association presentation
Nurse leaders discuss innovative methods for improving cardiometabolic health
Nov. 17, 2022
Betty Irene Moore Fellows Kimberly Souffront, Michelle Litchman, Yamnia Cortés, Lenette Jones, and Dawn Aycock presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2022.
When Betty Irene Moore Fellow Yamnia Cortés pitched the idea of a group presentation focused on cardiometabolic health, four of her Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators colleagues eagerly volunteered to join in the educational endeavor. The vision became a reality Nov. 7 at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2022 in Chicago.
The presentation, “Innovations in Cardiovascular Nursing Science: Prevention and Management of Cardiometabolic Health in Marginalized Populations,” focused on how nurse researchers can use innovative strategies to promote the cardiometabolic health of marginalized populations. The five fellows discussed using novel biomarkers, innovative technologies, and human-centered design to prevent and manage cardiometabolic disease risk among women, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Cortés, an assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said each fellow shared examples from their research projects conducted as part of the fellowship program.
“Many of the presenters used personal stories to draw the audience in and we discussed ways to spread the impact of our work through innovation and policy. I really enjoyed seeing what everyone is doing and was also inspired by the possibilities for nurse scientists to impact health and health care,” Cortés said.
She was joined by fellow 2021 cohort members Lenette Jones, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing; Michelle Litchman, assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing; and Kimberly Souffront, associate director of the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital. Inaugural cohort fellow Dawn Aycock, associate professor and director of the Doctor of Philosophy program at the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions at Georgia State University, also joined the discussion.
“Presenting alongside Dawn, Lenette, Michelle, and Yamnia was nothing short of inspiring. I admire our collegial relationship, and also our natural chemistry with one another. I am truly fond of each one of them and look forward to all that we will accomplish in our lifetime,” Souffront said.
Aycock also looks forward to future collaborations.
“I think identifying commonalities, like innovative interventions for cardiovascular disease, brings us together to have a greater nursing presence and voice to address health-related issues,” Aycock said.
Heather M. Young, national program director for the fellowship, said these types of collaborations among fellows and across cohorts demonstrate the impact the fellowship aims to have at the national level to advance health care.
“A major goal of the fellowship program is to position fellows for leadership and innovation to improve health care delivery and equity. We are so proud of the work our fellows are doing together to advance the nursing profession and we are inspired by their passion,” Young said.
