Health Policy Articles

Three UCSF School of Nursing faculty members are continuing a tradition of faculty leaders who are steering impactful change on the national and international stage. As presidents of major professional nursing organizations, these faculty members are leading important initiatives — from influencing policy, to increasing diversity, to enhancing access to care — that will advance expand health care access for patients nationwide and across the globe.

Meet 40 rising nursing leaders from the UCSF School of Nursing who are leading innovative changes and forging new paths to better health for our communities. These faculty, students and alumni, who are age 40 or younger, are already making significant contributions in health care. This feature is part of an ongoing series that highlights remarkable nurses and scholars from the School, and their commitment to a more equitable world.

Despite legislation from the 1970s that still requires California nurse-midwives to practice under the supervision of a physician or surgeon, nurse-midwives are making tangible impacts in patient care and serving the underserved.

As co-director of the Shift Project, Kristen Harknett examines the impact of unstable work schedules on health and well-being to inform policymakers and consumers about the importance of fair-scheduling practices.

UCSF School of Nursing students gain invaluable advocacy experience at two events in the nation’s capitol.

Two critical care experts in Puerto Rico – both of whom received their PhD degrees from the UCSF School of Nursing – demonstrate the power of evidence, education and a passion for implementing change.

Passage and implementation of California’s End of Life Option Act has raised difficult questions for patients, families, clinicians, health systems and others. UCSF’s Barbara Koenig heads a project aiming to define the most critical challenges and describe how people and systems are best addressing them.

Policy experts help point to better ways for delivering care to patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia.

Sleep and fatigue expert Kathryn Lee – associate dean for research at UCSF School of Nursing – discusses new ANA recommendations for preventing nurse fatigue.