People Worth Caring About

Uncover the untold power of nurse practitioners in the healthcare system. Dr. Valerie Fuller, President of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, reveals why these highly trained professionals are the best-kept secret in healthcare. Are you aware of the vital role they play in providing high-quality, cost-effective care? Tune in to discover how nurse practitioners are reshaping patient care and what keeps them under the radar. In this compelling episode, Dr. Fuller shares her journey advocating for over 461,000 nurse practitioners nationwide. With 28 years of experience as a nurse practitioner, she discusses the misconceptions surrounding the role and the unique, holistic approach they bring to healthcare. You’ll learn how nurse practitioners can diagnose, treat, and prescribe, yet still remain lesser-known compared to their physician counterparts. You’ll discover: - How nurse practitioners bridge the gap in healthcare access, especially in underserved areas. - The legislative barriers that prevent them from fully exercising their training and how they’re working to change this. - Real-life examples of the impact nurse practitioners have on patient outcomes and satisfaction. Dr. Fuller emphasizes the importance of understanding the full scope of practice available to nurse practitioners and how misconceptions can lead to missed opportunities for patients to receive quality care. With a focus on listening and understanding patient needs, she highlights why nurse practitioners are essential in today’s healthcare landscape. Don’t miss out on this essential conversation that challenges the status quo and advocates for a transformation in healthcare delivery. Perfect for anyone interested in healthcare, policy, or simply looking to understand more about the hidden gems in our medical system. Listen now to empower yourself with knowledge that could change lives! Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome and introduction to Dr. Valerie Fuller 01:05 - What nurse practitioners do 02:40 - Explaining the nurse practitioner role to patients 04:15 - Why nurse practitioners are still “the best kept secret” in healthcare 06:39 - Nurse practitioners in rural and underserved communities 08:16 - Policy barriers to practicing at full scope 09:24 - How outdated Medicare rules affect patient care 11:36 - The I Can Act and federal advocacy 12:13 - Using storytelling to reach legislators 12:45 - Full practice authority and the Texas–New Mexico contrast 14:53 - The patient-centered philosophy of nursing 15:57 - Valerie’s path into advocacy and association leadership 18:41 - Why patient stories move policy 20:18 - Rural health advocacy at the White House 22:01 - What Valerie enjoys most about leading the association 23:09 - Favorite and least favorite airports 24:12 - Building a postoperative delirium program 25:53 - Researching patients’ experiences with delirium 26:59 - Closing remarks Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories. For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com. #HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Transforming the cancer care experience is no small feat, but Christina Merrill is doing just that. In this riveting episode of People Worth Caring About, she unveils how her journey from social worker to founder and CEO of the Bone Marrow and Cancer Foundation has changed the lives of countless patients and families facing the daunting challenges of cancer treatment. You'll discover the innovative strategies Christina implemented, including a groundbreaking partnership with Airbnb that allows patients to access crucial care without the burden of housing costs. She reveals the heartwarming stories behind her organization’s mission, detailing how they provide financial assistance, therapy programs, and essential peer support that truly make a difference in the cancer community. Peter Murphy Lewis and co-host Jalene Carpenter dive into Christina's entrepreneurial spirit, discussing how her experiences led to the creation of Cancer Buddy, an app that connects patients with peer support through a familiar swiping mechanism. This unique approach not only helps patients find others who understand their struggles but also fosters a sense of community and connection that is often lacking in healthcare. This episode is not just about healthcare; it's a powerful reminder of the human spirit's resilience and the importance of support systems during life's toughest battles. If you’re a caregiver, a healthcare professional, or someone affected by cancer, Christina’s insights are invaluable and could inspire you to make a difference. Join us for this heartwarming and enlightening conversation that showcases the power of compassion, innovation, and community in overcoming the challenges of cancer. Perfect for anyone seeking hope and practical solutions in the face of adversity. Timestamps: 00:35 - Welcome and host catch-up 01:43 - Introducing Christina Merrill and the conversation ahead 02:13 - Lighthearted opening banter 02:46 - Christina’s formal welcome 03:32 - Christina’s path into cancer care 04:39 - Building the Bone Marrow & Cancer Foundation 07:02 - The inspiration behind Cancer Buddy 08:19 - Creating peer support and community 09:34 - Building the app from the ground up 10:13 - From bone marrow transplants to serving all cancer patients 11:17 - Storytelling, fundraising, and the Airbnb partnership 13:20 - Persistence and not giving up 14:30 - The patient story that changed everything 16:22 - Family, purpose, and raising four sons 16:52 - Technology, AI, and preserving human connection 17:59 - Bringing the Cancer Buddy community together in person 18:29 - Why patient navigation needs a human touch 19:40 - Discipline, health, and loving your work 21:18 - Peter reflects on Christina’s vision 21:49 - Lessons for long-term care 22:30 - Closing thoughts Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories. For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com. #HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Aging, Stigma, and Why the Conversation Belongs Everywhere Peter Murphy Lewis and Jalene continue a conversation about aging and gerontology: where should it be discussed, and how can we move beyond seeing aging only as decline? They explore gaps in healthcare training, the stigma older adults face, the influence of everyday language, and why thinking about aging should include identity, relationships, and wellness - not just the body. In this episode: • Why aging and gerontology deserve attention beyond college campuses and long-term care • How aging is covered in healthcare administrator and CNA training • Why an acute-care model may not reflect the realities of aging • The stigma that older adults have little value or productivity • What it means to consider the “youth side” of aging • How aging can shape identity, wellness, and relationships • Why words like “old” can carry a negative connotation • How people can reclaim language and shift its meaning • Why Dr. Masters could add a valuable perspective to the conversation Timestamps 00:00 - Opening the aging conversation 01:26 - How aging is covered in healthcare training 02:21 - The limits of an acute-care approach to aging 02:44 - Stigma and misconceptions about older adults 03:44 - Introducing the “youth side” of aging 04:11 - A younger person’s question about identity and the future 04:39 - Aging beyond the body: wellness, family, and relationships 05:10 - Using “old” as a negative label 06:17 - Owning words and changing their meaning 07:33 - Why Dr. Masters should join the conversation 07:51 - Peter’s emotional interview project 08:05 - The “Aging is Hot” T-shirt 09:15 - Closing thoughts Thank you for listening to People Worth Caring About. If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories. For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com. #HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Are we afraid of aging or just unsure how to talk about it? In this lively episode of People Worth Caring About, hosts Jalene and Peter dive into the often-avoided topic of aging, revealing surprising insights from both younger generations and elderly residents at senior living communities. If you’ve ever wondered how perceptions of aging shift from youth to old age, this episode is for you. Peter shares his recent experience interviewing college students and seniors, unearthing enlightening truths about how each group views aging. You’ll discover: • Why many young adults avoid the conversation about aging altogether. • The unexpected overlap in advice shared between seniors and the youth about approaching life and aging. • Insights into the field of gerontology and why understanding aging is crucial for various professions, not just caregiving. This episode isn’t just about sharing stories; it’s about transforming the way we perceive aging and the conversations we need to have. As Peter highlights, avoiding discussions about aging can lead to missed opportunities for deeper connections and understanding. Join us for this compelling exploration that challenges the stigma around aging and ignites curiosity about the inevitable journey we all face. Perfect for anyone looking to rethink their perspective on aging or seeking to foster better dialogue around it. Tune in now and let’s start the conversation! Timestamps 00:01 - Peter and Jalene open the episode. 01:01 - Jalene introduces the negative way people often talk about aging. 01:48 - Peter explains the project’s goal: bringing awareness to gerontology and the fear of discussing aging. 02:43 - Peter describes visiting retirement centers and asking residents what comes to mind when they hear “aging.” 04:08 - Peter shares that many older adults hadn’t thought about aging until arranging long-term care for a parent. 05:33 - Peter describes asking young people what their 80-year-old selves would advise them to do now. 06:19 - Advice from older adults: slow down, worry less, plan financially, and take care of your body. 07:38 - Peter shares why it can help to have difficult conversations about death and dying earlier. 08:39 - Peter explains how studying gerontology can help people understand a population they haven’t experienced yet. 09:30 - Peter discusses the professional value of understanding an aging demographic. 10:42 - Jalene asks about Dr. Julie Masters’ work and the episode closes with a teaser for part two.” Thank you for listening to “People Worth Caring About.” If you found value in this episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories. For more information and to connect with our guests, visit PeopleWorthCaringAbout.com. #HealthcareLeadership #SkilledTrades #PeopleWorthCaringAbout

Keep Going: Alicia Staley on Four-Time Cancer Survivorship, Patient Advocacy, and Building Better Clinical Research Peter Murphy Lewis sits down with Alicia Staley, Chief Patient Officer at Medidata and a four-time cancer survivor, for a conversation about identity, resilience, and why patient experience should shape healthcare technology. Alicia shares how surviving cancer four times changed the way she sees time, work, and purpose, and why she now fully embraces patient advocacy as part of who she is. They also discuss the overlooked roles that make clinical research work, the stubbornly outdated parts of healthcare that still frustrate her, and the simple message she would put on a billboard for anyone facing hard seasons: keep going. KEY TOPICS Alicia’s Four-Time Cancer Survivor Story • Processing what it means to survive cancer four times • Her first diagnosis of Hodgkin’s lymphoma in college • Learning to embrace survivorship as part of her identity How Personal Experience Shapes Leadership • Connecting an engineering background with patient advocacy • Improving the experience of patients in clinical trials • Putting the right tools in front of patients at the right time The Unseen People Behind Clinical Research • Clinical research site workers • Engineers and product teams • Patient-facing staff whose work often goes unrecognized Why Healthcare Technology Feels Extraordinary • Connecting patient data across systems • Improving access to medical information • Making clinical trial opportunities easier to explore What Still Feels Outdated • Alicia’s frustration with fax machines in healthcare • How outdated communication methods can damage the patient experience Mentorship and Personal Growth • The impact of Alicia’s career coach, Jill • Learning from multiple mentors and relationships • Turning personal experiences into a resource for others A Book Worth Reading • The Magic of Thinking Big • Why Alicia recommends it to her team and others The Message She Would Put on a Billboard • “Keep going” • Resilience, persistence, and taking life one step at a time EPISODE TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introducing Alicia Staley, four-time cancer survivor and Medidata Chief Patient Officer 01:12 – Wrestling with what it means to survive cancer four times 02:08 – How a college diagnosis reshaped her outlook on time and purpose 04:19 – Why she stopped resisting the cancer survivor identity 06:05 – Bringing an engineer’s mindset into patient advocacy 07:28 – Using technology to improve the patient experience in clinical trials 09:05 – The clinical research roles that rarely get public recognition 10:42 – How Alicia encourages and celebrates her team’s impact 13:00 – Why healthcare data integration is extraordinary 14:23 – How modern patient tools changed access to information 16:11 – Why fax machines still feel shocking in healthcare 17:57 – The value of a career coach and learning from many mentors 20:03 – Why The Magic of Thinking Big is her most recommended book 21:40 – The billboard message she would share with the world: “Keep going” ABOUT PEOPLE WORTH CARING ABOUT Thank you for listening to People Worth Caring About. If you found value in this episode, please follow the podcast and leave a 5-star rating to help others discover these important stories. For more information and to connect with our guests, visit: https://peopleworthcaringabout.com #HealthcareLeadership #PatientAdvocacy #ClinicalResearch #CancerSurvivorship #PeopleWorthCaringAbout