EP29: How Nurses Can Influence Health Policy (HAPF SERIES) with Alison Hernandez

<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">How Nurses Can Influence Health Policy (</span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">HAPF SERIES) with Alison Hernandez</span></em></p> <p><strong><em>“Nurses and Nurse Scientists need to have the tools to INFLUENCE and understand HEALTH POLICY.”</em></strong><strong>— Alison Hernandez, PhD, RN</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Health care policy has crucial implications for all of us who rely on our health care system. Behind this pursuit are dedicated nursing professionals who advocate for specific policies they believe will benefit us. In this week's episode, we are joined by Alison Hernandez, PhD, RN and Carla McGarvey.</span></p> <p><strong>Part One of ‘How Nurses Can Influence Health Policy (HAPF SERIES) With Alison Hernandez’</strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr. Alison Hernandez is a bi-lingual, bi-cultural Mexican-American Registered Nurse (RN). She has her PhD in Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Currently, Alison is a Disability Policy Research Fellow at Northwestern University's Center for Education in Health Sciences. She is trained as a bio-behavioral health researcher and has a broad interest in older adult health and longevity. Her current research focuses on improving wellness programming for older adults by promoting exercise, nutrition, social engagement, and happiness. Alison's long-term goal is to inform policy through evidence-based practices that help older adults live longer, high-quality lives. Carla McGarvey is currently Congresswoman Donna Shalala's Legislative Director and deputy chief of staff.</span></p> <p><strong><em>“The most successful fellowships are where we can integrate the fellow into the staff as much as possible, and essentially make them another staff member.” — Carla McGarvey</em></strong></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Alison Hernandez has always been interested in how things like exercise and social engagement can improve the overall emotional health of older adults. So, she