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Kathy Ingelse and Andrea Barnes Grant are making a difference in the care that veterans receive. Both women earned a doctoral degree in nursing with a focus on the special healthcare needs of veterans. This great accomplishment was made possible by the Jonas Center for Nursing and Veterans Healthcare which provided financial and networking support as well as leadership opportunities for the doctoral students.
Ingelse’s passion for helping veterans began ten years ago when she filled in for a friend at the Bend Veterans Affairs Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in Portland, Oregon. She provided primary care as a nurse practitioner while the friend took maternity leave and the temporary assignment turned into a seven-year stint. After receiving her Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP-BC) certification, she also became a mental health provider at the clinic.
Barnes Grant is primary care provider at the Brooklyn campus of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System. Her are of concentration is providing primary care to sedentary veterans and their spouses. She also is researching ways to treat obstructive sleep apnea which is common in veterans. She believes her research is an important factor in making an impact on the health of her patients.
The Jonas Center was a key factor in both women having the opportunity to pursue their doctoral aspirations. “Along with the financial support, I received exceptional encouragement and support as well as networking opportunities from the faculty and mentors, which was pivotal for my personal and professional growth and development,” said Barnes Grant.
In its effort to increase the number of advanced practice nurses, the Jonas Center has provided funding for 1,000 doctoral nursing scholars. The Jonas Veterans Healthcare Program has provided support for 300 of the scholars who have chosen to focus their efforts on veteran care.