On this episode of the Trailblazing Nursing podcast, USF College of Nursing Dean Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, reconnects with one of her friends and mentors, Dr. Victoria Champion, to discuss how the field of nursing research has evolved to emphasize evidence-based practices that lead to real-world implementation, and the importance of PhD applications in nursing to continue this work.

Dr. Champion serves as the Associate Director of Community Outreach and Population Research at Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center and has contributed decades of funded research that have improved the lives of thousands of cancer patients.

This episode marks the end of season 4 of Trailblazing Nursing. We look forward to returning in season 5 with more episodes, more nursing leaders, and more conversations to drive the profession forward!

On this episode of the Trailblazing Nursing podcast, Dean Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, sits down with Suzanne Miyamoto, CEO of the American Academy of Nursing. Dr. Miyamoto discusses the evolving role of nursing in policy and research, the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the importance of nursing science in addressing critical issues, including burnout and nurse well-being.

Dean Usha Menon sits down with the legendary Dr. Ada Sue Hinshaw, PhD, RN, FAAN, former Director of the National Institute of Nursing Research at the NIH.

In this episode, Dr. Hinshaw reflects on her remarkable legacy as both a researcher and a clinician—and how bridging those worlds has driven groundbreaking advancements in nursing.

Dr. Usha Sambamoorthi is a distinguished professor at the College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, with nearly 35 years of experience in health services research, dedicated to advancing health equity. A pioneer in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into health outcomes research, she has significantly contributed to the field through her impactful publications and mentorship of many doctoral students. Dr. Sambamoorthi serves as one of the Multiple Principal Investigators (MPIs) of the AIM-AHEAD program which aims to leverage AI/ML to improve health outcomes, with a focus on underserved communities.

A highly respected mentor and leader, Dr. Sambamoorthi has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including those from the American Public Health Association, honoring her commitment to fostering the next generation of researchers in health services and AI-driven health equity research.

Dr. Noella C. West is a distinguished national speaker, educator, author, consultant, and the APP Manager of Medicine, Surgical, and Neuroscience at Tampa General Hospital. She is the CEO and founder of Confident NP, an organization dedicated to helping new and experienced nurse practitioners build confidence and advance their careers.

Dr. West is a proud three-time alumna of the USF College of Nursing. She has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including being voted the 2023 FNPN Nurse Practitioner of the Year for (Florida). She has been interviewed and featured on various podcasts, is a contributing editor for "The Color of Wellness Magazine," and participates in numerous women, and wellness community events, such as AARP's "Walk With The Doc."

Dr. West has played a significant role in obtaining Joint Commission Disease-Specific Certification and Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program certification and recertification for both Primary and Comprehensive Stroke programs. Interestingly, before embarking on her nursing career, she was an artist, with her artwork displayed at CARF, the district office of national rehabilitation.

She has served as chair and member of numerous committees and organizations, including the Advance Practice Council, AANP, AHA, AANN, ARN, FNPN, FONE, Sigma Theta Tau, and BNR. Recently, she became an alumna of Leadership Tampa Bay and serves as the secretary for the class of 2023.

Dean Usha Menon sits down with Caitlyn Brown, the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet Mechanic and Inside Front Tire Changer, to discuss her trailblazing journey as a female mechanic.

You can see Caitlyn Brown in St. Pete March 8-10, 2024, at the Firestone Grand Prix!

Following in the footsteps of trailblazing female icons in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES (NICS), Caitlyn Brown etched her name in the history books on May 28, 2023, as the first female pit crew member to win the Indianapolis 500. Her work as a mechanic and inside front tire changer for the No. 2 Shell Powering Progress Chevrolet helped propel Josef Newgarden from the 17th starting position on the grid to win his first Indianapolis 500, and the 19th for Team Penske.

Brown made team history at the start of the 2023 NICS season as the first, full-time female pit crew member in the 57-year history of Team Penske. A native of Wilmington, Illinois, Brown comes from a racing family, herself having competed in four-cylinder dirt track racing in her youth. While she loved the competition that comes with being behind the wheel, the mechanics of making a car perform at its best proved to be Brown’s true calling.

After paying her dues in entry-level positions that helped Brown get her foot in the door of professional motorsports, she began her Team Penske career in 2019 as a NASCAR shop mechanic. Brown then transitioned into the role of fuel cell specialist. Looking for an opportunity as a traveling mechanic with one of the Team Penske teams, Brown first ventured out on the road with the organization’s INDYCAR team during the 2021 season. Before the start of the 2022 INDYCAR SERIES season, she made the transition from fenders to open-wheel cars complete.

It was during the 2021 season that Brown seized her first opportunity to go over the wall with the female-led, Paretta Autosport INDYCAR team in the 105th running of the Indianapolis 500. The Paretta team received technical support from Team Penske, and the partnership allowed Brown and others to show what they could do on pit lane in the world’s biggest race.

In the world of motorsports, the Indianapolis 500 provides a daunting level of pressure. When you drive for Team Penske, the winningest team in the history of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the intensity gets ratcheted up even more.

“This is the reason you want to work for Team Penske, to have a shot at winning the Indianapolis 500,” said Brown after the victory. “To play a role in Josef winning his first – and the team’s 19th – is very special. The car doesn’t know what gender you are. If you put the work in, you can have success. I hope it opens the door for other females in the future.”

Dr. Bonnie Clipper is a nurse futurist, expert in virtual nursing, nationally recognized
thought leader, and global speaker. She brings her decades of executive leadership,
operations, and knowledge of technology together to transform the national healthcare
ecosystem. She was the first VP of Innovation at the ANA where she built the innovation framework to bring over 4M nurses into the innovation space through education, HIMSS Nurse Pitch™ events, and strategic partnerships such as the ANA + BD Innovation Awards and the ANA + J&J nursing innovation podcast.

As CEO and Founder of Innovation Advantage, Dr. Clipper is leading change and was
among the first to revolutionize how virtual nursing care is practiced and delivered in
hospitals. As a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow, she has
published extensively on innovation in nursing including The Innovation Handbook: A
Nurse Leader’s Guide for Transforming Nursing; The Nurse’s Guide to Innovation and
The Innovation Roadmap: A Guide for Nurse Leaders.

She regularly shares her insights on technologies impacting nursing such as artificial
intelligence, virtual reality, ambient computer vision, and robotics through webinars,
speaking, and publications. Dr. Clipper is a member of the prestigious American
Telemedicine Association, Clinician Council, and is a strategic advisor for several healthtech companies.

Dr. Clipper is a sought-after connector, collaborator, and influencer in healthcare, and is
a highly effective change agent and unifier. In short, Dr. Clipper has transformed the way hospital-based nursing care will be delivered and her approach has raised the bar across the country.

Learn more about Dr. Clipper here!

Listen as we talk with Erika Kimball, a healthcare sustainability leader with more than 15 years of experience in the field. She began her sustainability journey as a staff nurse leading volunteer waste reduction projects in clinical units. Today she is the Founder and CEO of Kimball Sustainable Healthcare, a consulting firm that develops sustainability strategies, programs, and communications for hospitals and healthcare.

Erika is a positive and determined change agent who brings people together to create solutions that improve environmental outcomes while supporting hospital quality, safety, and value. She is a certified TRUE zero waste advisor and knows that healthcare waste is a solvable problem. She works with clients to build sustainable clinical practices and grow the circular economy for healthcare.

Erika loves learning and adventure and holds an MBA from Presidio Graduate School and a BSN from the University of South Florida College of Nursing!