In its effort to help create a more resilient healthcare system with nurses at the forefront of promoting positive change, the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing is dedicated to advocating for both nursing education and community health. Led by passionate faculty and driven by a commitment to service, the school is addressing the nursing shortage and promoting health equity through strategic outreach and advocacy.
At the helm of these efforts are Dr. Susanne Phillips, a clinical professor and senior associate dean, and P. Alberto Sandoval, assistant vice chancellor of community & government relations at UC Irvine. “Advocacy is a big part of our mission,” says Phillips, who teaches nursing students about healthcare policy and has been instrumental in advocating for essential funding, particularly Title 8 funding, which supports nursing education at the national level.
Before taking her class, most doctoral students have scant understanding how America’s health care system works, said Phillips. “The topics I cover include initially the policy making structure and the process of policy making and how we analyze policy. I also introduce them to our healthcare system at large and the role of government in healthcare delivery, Medicare, Medicaid, health care reform initiatives, the insurance world, health equity in policy development, vulnerable populations, underserved populations, and where the money comes from to take care of those patients.”
Her work on committees, including the American Academy of Nursing (AAN), allows her to influence policy discussions regarding nursing roles in primary care and funding priorities. Phillips helps advise the American Nursing Association (ANA) board on nursing policy and reimbursement, which ultimately influences how nurses are prioritized in national healthcare policy.
In the past two years, the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing has hosted various legislators, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, U.S. Congressman Mike Levin, State Senator Dave Min, Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris and Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley, offering them a firsthand look at its facilities and programs. This engagement, Sandoval explains, is crucial for fostering greater understanding and support for both the school’s educational efforts, its significance in addressing local healthcare needs as well as nursing education initiatives that rely on government funding.
“We need our elected officials to understand what we do and the impact we have on our community,” Sandoval said. Sandoval believes that education is the cornerstone of effective advocacy. The outreach efforts extend beyond the campus, with Sandoval and other school leaders actively engaging with various community organizations, chambers of commerce, and civic leaders. “I want all our federal, state, county and local elected officials know that UCI has this important school of nursing that serves our community,” Sandoval explained.
A significant part of their outreach involves the Anteater Academy, a program designed to educate elected officials, their staff and community leaders about the nursing profession. Participants have toured the simulation labs, gaining insight into the rigorous training that nursing students undergo. “By the end of the program, they leave with a better understanding of the education our students receive and the critical role they play in our healthcare system,” Sandoval said.
Such initiatives not only build community support but also create a network of advocates who can rally for nursing and other campus initiatives when needed. “We are not just advocating for budgets; we are advocating for good policies that will enable nursing students to thrive,” he said.
In representing UC Irvine and the Sue & Bill School of Nursing, Sandoval has also become a frequent visitor to Sacramento. “We are typically up there once a month when they are in session,” he said, referring to California’s Legislature. “I have already booked trips in December, January and February.”
Significant advocacy, Sandoval said, will happen in Spring 2025, when legislators will be busy working out the next state budget. The University of California System will bring together delegations, including representatives from the School of Nursing, from all 10 UC campuses to advocate with their local delegations for UC Day. “We will be there walking the halls and knocking on doors,” he said. “In this business, it’s out of sight, out of mind, so it’s really important for us to be there in person, meeting with people face to face to share the importance and impact our students, faculty and staff have on the community.”
Both bringing leaders to the school and meeting with them off-campus, Sandoval argues, ensures that the voices of students, faculty, and community members won’t be forgotten during policy discussions. “We strive to help the community recognize the value of our nursing program,” he said. “When they understand what our students are learning and how they contribute to the healthcare system, they become our advocates.”
