Betty Irene Moore Fellows participate in Mount Sinai panel discussion

Nov. 4, 2022

Betty Irene Moore Fellows Kimberly Souffront, Maya Clark-Cutaia, Michelle Litchman, Adrian Juarez and Lenette Jones participated in Mount Sinai Nursing Research Day 2022.

Inspired to share their insights with other nurse researchers, five fellows from the 2021 and 2022 cohorts of the Betty Irene Moore Fellowship for Nurse Leaders and Innovators participated in a Nov. 4 discussion panel for the virtual Mount Sinai Nursing Research Day 2022. The annual nursing research symposium features keynote speeches and abstract presentations by nurse scientists.

Panel members included 2021 cohort fellows Lenette M. Jones, assistant professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing; Adrian Juarez, assistant professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; and Michelle L. Litchman, assistant professor at the University of Utah College of Nursing. Maya Clark-Cutaia, a fellow in the 2022 cohort and assistant professor at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing and New York University Grossman School of Medicine, also joined the panel discussion. It was organized and moderated by 2021 cohort fellow Kimberly Souffront, associate director of the Center for Nursing Research and Innovation at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, and her Mount Sinai Health System colleague.

“I was honored and humbled that Dr. Souffront not only asked me to participate in this panel, but also reached out to offer support and guidance as a new fellow. There is nothing like having others see you and lift you up in the name of health equity and justice. In my short time as a fellow, that is what I have felt, gratitude and purpose-driven work by each and every Betty Irene Moore Fellow. It has translated into a camaraderie that is just effortless," Clark-Cutaia said.

The five Betty Irene Moore Fellows discussed the value of including nursing perspectives in research across diverse populations. They touched on how disparities in heath care affect patients across a wide range of health conditions and how research and nurse-driven approaches can help close the health disparities gap. The group explored how nursing can address inequalities in care based on race, gender, sexual orientation, income, insurance status, immigration status and other characteristics. In addition, they explored the disparate health risks faced by structurally disadvantaged populations and the policy and practice conditions impacting divergent health outcomes. The group reflected on how a holistic approach to research can strengthen the position of the nursing profession in the United States and advance health equity.

“Betty Irene Moore Fellows have a true partnership and our collaboration across cohorts is quite synergistic. I think this is because we have a shared research vision, which is to mitigate health care disparities across the spectrum. So, when I asked some of the fellows to participate in a panel like this, it was just a matter of ‘am I free’ and ‘just tell me when to show up.’ I hope our partnership continues to grow because I can only imagine the impact we can have on our patients’ lives working together,” Souffront said.

Heather M. Young, national program director for the fellowship, said it’s exciting and inspiring to see a group of fellows work together outside of the fellowship program to advance nursing research.

“We are thrilled to see the important work our fellows are doing together to advance nursing and health care in our society. It is encouraging to see the fellows work together across cohorts. Our entire team is incredibly proud of the work they are doing. It gives us such hope for the future,” Young said.