New Nurse Cohort Launches to Transform Patient Care

Fourteen nurse scientists and health care experts were chosen to participate in a training program to equip them with the knowledge and skills to apply social determinants of health, or SDOH, into research.

“The new nursing program for advancing training in health and social determinants, or NPATHS, is a powerful example of what’s possible when clinical expertise and academic insight come together with purpose,” said Ashlee Vance, Ph.D., assistant scientist at the Henry Ford Health Center for Health Policy and Health Services Research.

Over the next nine months, these nurse scientists and health care professionals will learn how to improve health outcomes for all patients through research-focused training and reflective practice.

“NPATHS equips nurse scientists and health professionals with the skills to turn research into action,” said Vance. “It supports improved patient outcomes and advances health equity by addressing the social and structural factors that influence health care.”

This comprehensive and immersive program includes in-person networking, expert lectures, webinars, community engagement, and mentorship. The overarching goal of this research training program is to nurture the skills in SDOH research design, analysis, and dissemination.

While the intensive training was originally designed to be held in person in Detroit, the program’s leadership chose to transition to a virtual format due to delays in receiving funding for the second year from the NIH. This reflects broader uncertainties in the current NIH funding environment; however, the NPATH program team remains committed to delivering a high-quality training experience for all participants.

Funded through an NIH R25 grant (1R25NR021357), Vance (PI) collaborated on the project with other Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences team members, including Joshua Winowiecki, DNP; Jordan Braciszewski, Ph.D.; Sara Santarossa, Ph.D.; Krista Walker, Ph.D.; Jackeline Iseler, DNP; and Dawn Goldstein, Ph.D.

From the 49 applications the training program received, 14 nurses and health care professionals from across the United States were selected to participate in the 2025 cohort. Participants include:

• Shanae Rhodes, Ph.D., RN
• Lovelle R. Reynolds, Ph.D., APRN, FNP-BC, CPN, CNE
• Noel Koller-Ditto, DNP, APRN, AGCNS-BC
• Danielle Pierre Hixon MPH, CHES, Ph.D. Candidate
• Oluwatobi F. Ogurinde, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CPN
• Allison Crawford, Ph.D., RN
• Stacey L. Bevan, Ph.D, MA, RN
• Brianna Jackson, Ph.D., MScN, RN, CPMHN(C)
• Patrick Murray, MSN, RN, Ph.D. Student
• Karen Warren, Ph.D., RN
• Alana Rivera, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM, CLC, DNP Student
• Michelle L. Jackson, Ph.D., ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC
• Ayse Guler-Das, Ph.D., RN
• Justin Fontenot, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAADN, PhD Candidate