The George Washington University School of Nursing

Introducing the 2025 Fellows in Health Policy and Media!

The GW Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement is proud to welcome five exceptional nurse leaders to this year’s Fellowship in Health Policy and Media cohort. Each fellow will work with a dedicated mentor to develop a project at the intersection of health policy, media, and advocacy:

Dr. Yvette Conyers (Mentor: Joyce Pulcini)
"Improving Lower Extremity Health Outcomes and Reducing PAD in Marginalized Populations Through Advocacy and Interprofessional Collaboration"

Makaila Davis (Mentor: Suzan Ulrich)
"Maternal and Child Health Equity Media Campaign"

Dr. Rajashree Koppolu (Mentors: Diana Mason & Barbara Glickstein)
"Media Strategies to Bolster the Pediatric Workforce"

Esther Arimon Pagès (Mentor: Hildegart Gonzalez)
"Study of the Motivations of Spanish Nurses to Leave Their Profession and Design of Multi-Stakeholder Communication Plan"

Michael Savas (Mentor: Ric Ricciardi)
"Policy Framework for the Integration of Artificial Intelligence Within Healthcare Organizations to Advance Value-Based Care"

Learn more about the program and how it empowers nurses to lead in policy and media ⬇️

nursing.gwu.edu/fellowship-health-policy-and-media

Why do some parents choose to delay or decline vaccines—even when it may increase the risk of outbreaks?

’s Associate Dean of Health Policy and Population Science, Dr. Tony Yang, and GW Professor of Health Policy and Management, Dr. Avi Dor, explore this complex decision-making process through the lens of game theory in The Conversation US.

📖 Read the article here:

Game theory explains why reasonable parents make vaccine choices that fuel outbreaks Vaccine hesitancy isn’t a moral failure – it’s a property of a system in which people must balance personal and collective interests.

Dr. Ashley Darcy-Mahoney, Senior Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs at , recently shared her insights with the Associated Press regarding the CDC's updated measles vaccination guidelines for international travelers.

Highlighting the shift in transmission patterns, Dr. Darcy-Mahoney noted, "We're seeing a shift from localized outbreaks to transmission in transit," emphasizing the importance of vaccination even when traveling to countries without known outbreaks.

The CDC now recommends that all U.S. travelers, regardless of destination, receive the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine due to increased risks during transit, such as on airplanes. This change comes in response to recent outbreaks, including one in Colorado linked to international travel.

Read the full article here ⬇️

All international travelers should get measles vaccinations, CDC says U.S. health officials have changed their advice to international travelers about measles, saying Americans should be vaccinated against the disease no matter where they travel in the world.

Congratulations to Cohort 37 on receiving their white coats! The White Coat Ceremony signifies your transition into clinical practice and affirms your commitment to the core values of the nursing profession, including compassion, professionalism, and excellence in patient care.

We are honored to celebrate this milestone with you and are confident that you will carry the mission and values of into every patient interaction and professional endeavor.

Congratulations to the newest inductees of the Phi Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Nursing! This prestigious honor recognizes excellence in scholarship, leadership, and a strong commitment to the values of the nursing profession. Each inductee now joins a global community of scholars and changemakers advancing health worldwide.

We are incredibly proud to see members of the community recognized for their dedication and excellence. Raise High!

's Research Professor Dale Lupu recently co-authored a study, "Patient-Centered Intervention in Advance Care Planning Across Dialysis Organizations: HIGHWay," published in Kidney360.

This research showcases the HIGHWay program's success in training healthcare professionals to integrate advance care planning into routine dialysis care, leading to over 1,500 meaningful patient conversations and enhanced provider confidence. The study underscores the program's potential for widespread adoption across U.S. dialysis centers.

https://journals.lww.com/kidney360/abstract/9900/patient_centered_intervention_in_advance_care.615.aspx

Carol Fluegge’s journey in nursing leadership is a testament to the power of passion, education, and lifelong dedication to service.

As a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Executive Leadership student at , Fluegge is combining decades of healthcare leadership experience with new knowledge in health policy, research, entrepreneurship, and population health. Set to graduate in May 2025, she is already making an impact that extends far beyond her home state of Pennsylvania.

Leading the Future of Nursing Through Education, Advocacy, and Mentorship | School of Nursing | The George Washington University Carol Fluegge’s journey in nursing leadership is a testament to the power of passion, education, and lifelong dedication to service.