In his latest “Health Care Heart to Heart” podcast, now streaming, UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, speaks with Windy Alonso, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC College of Nursing, heart failure nurse scientist and rural health advocate.
Dr. Alonso speaks about the start of her research science career and how she has blended two things she’s passionate about — science and caring for people.
“I loved science — so ultimately, I got that bachelor’s degree in biology, not really thinking ‘about ‘what will I do with this degree whenever I graduate,’ ” she said. “And so, I ended up working as a nursing assistant, coincidentally, on a step-down unit where we cared for a lot of adults with heart failure.”
They also discuss Dr. Alonso’s research in helping patients with heart failure overcome their fear of exercise and her collaboration with different rural communities across the state of Nebraska to test exercise interventions.
“The patients in rural communities are highly engaged,” Dr. Alonso tells Dr. Gold. “They want to be part of research studies; they want to improve their care. And so, it’s a really rewarding experience to get to give back to those rural communities.”
“Health Care Heart to Heart” posts new podcasts every other week, as Dr. Gold speaks to national, regional and local health care leaders on issues of importance. On each new episode, Dr. Gold and his guests will share information, explore health care challenges and opportunities and leave listeners thinking about how they, too, can make a difference.
“Health Care Heart to Heart” episodes will be updated on the official podcast website and can be streamed on the following platforms: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
Go Windy! Nurses changing the world!
Great work, Windy!