UPINHF 2022 International Nurse Awardee
LORRAINE S. EVANGELISTA, BSN, MN, PhD., RN, FAHA, FAAN
For her work, research, and investigation on the relationship between obesity and Chronic Heart Failure
This year’s UPINHF International Nurse Award recipient, Dr. Lorraine S. Evangelista, is a prolific researcher on many health issues. Writing a synopsis of her colossal accomplishments is a gargantuan task that a two-page article will not do justice to her immense work. Therefore, UPINHF focuses on a specific target that is prevalent in the Philippines and third-world countries – the relationship between obesity and Chronic Heart Failure.
Whenever the opportunity presents, Dr. Evangelista would say: “The ‘Dr.’ in front of my name often misleads some people into thinking that I am a Doctor of Medicine, I am not…” then she would proudly declare, “I am a nurse.”
A nurse indeed, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the U.P. College of Nursing, graduating with honors (cum laude), class of 1985.
Going straight to the heart of the issue, Dr. Josefina A. Tuazon, former UPCN dean and a UPINHF International Nurse herself, in her nomination of Lorraine Evangelista has these to say:
“Lorraine is a world-renowned researcher who’s highly respected for her expertise in cardiovascular nursing, especially for patients with heart failure. She has designed and tested effective interventions using cutting-edge technology and adopting and tailoring to provide information most relevant to patients who struggle with this debilitating condition. For example, she was the first to a test home- based walking program (particularly meaningful at this time of the pandemic) on death and hospitalizations. The integration of this program in heart failure clinics worldwide represents a substantial contribution to cardiology.”
Lorraine Evangelista has many “Firsts” in the span of her remarkable career. First to investigate the benefits of digital health technologies to support self-management of patients with Chronic Heart Failure. First to document the time lapse from when heart failure symptoms occur to the emergency room. This information changed how to teach patients to manage their symptoms, thereby decreasing the incidence of hospital readmission.
Now, is there a relationship between obesity and heart failure? She concludes, there is, that promoting weight loss has the potential of reversing Congestive Heart Failure. But she didn’t stop there. She led “Pro-Heart,” a multi- university study to see whether a protein-rich diet can increase long-term health prospects for overweight patients with Congestive Heart Failure. Her translational research seeks to produce results and interventions that directly benefit human health.
From UPCN, Loraine pursued higher education. She completed her master’s in nursing (MN) degree in 1993 and her doctoral (PhD.) in 2000, both from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Her stint at UCLA as a professor made her instrumental in reopening UCLA’s BSN program after years of hiatus. After UCLA, Dr. Evangelista went to the University of California Irvine (UCI) as a professor and Senior Associate Director for Academic Affairs for UCI Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing. She continued her research and investigations in collaboration with other universities.Lorraine Evangelista went back to her home country (The Philippines) and alma mater (UPCN) as a Fulbright scholar to study lifestyle behaviors and risk factors of Filipinos in underserved communities. As Dr. Josefina Tuazon in her endorsement puts it: “Her experiences positioned her to forge new partnerships with investigators from the Philippines. She is currently an advisor of the World Health Organization Western Pacific Philippines.”
Her work in the Philippines on a Fulbright grant produced many studies, among them: “Health
determinants and risk factors for coronary artery among older Filipinos in rural communities,” and another in collaboration with Dean Tuazon, among others, on the question: “Are health behaviors and risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease interrelated among older Filipinos in underserved communities?”
Meanwhile, in the United States, Lorraine’s career brought her to Galveston, Texas as a professor and Associate Dean for Research and Scholarships, and holder of the Lena Fink Distinguished Chair for Arts, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Las Vegas (UNLV), School of Nursing as Associate Dean for Research.
For all her work in cardiology, Dr. Evangelista became a Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA), and as a nurse, a Fellow of the American Association for Nursing (FAAN).
Recognized for her work, skills, and expertise, Lorraine received many plaudits, kudos, and compliments, she is also acknowledged with awards and citations like: Distinguished Research and Lectureship Award and the Shannon Mentorship Award, both in 2017; UCLA Alumni (UCI) and the Distinguished Faculty Award for Mentorship, (UCI, 2016); 2016-2017 Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award
(Teaching and Research); 2021 Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame Award, “Sigma Theta Tau International;
Julita V. Sotejo Medallion of Honor for Service to Country and Humanity, to name a few.
After so many types of research, investigations, and studies, the hundreds of publications, articles, treatises, Dr. Lorraine Evangelista continues to be excited and enthusiastic about future inquiries in search of more meaningful results, and new interventions that she can translate into effective and immediate use for the benefit of the people.
Dr. Lorraine Evangelista is an outstanding UP nurse and a loyal alumna. Her work in her chosen field and the successful outcomes are internationally known to benefit many people of various ethnicities: Filipinos, Mexicans, Koreans, Arabs, and certainly all of mankind. For these and the UP tradition she upholds, the UPINHF Awards, Citations and Scholarship Committee, with the unanimous vote of the Board of Directors, is privileged to bestow the honor of the 2022 UPINHF International Nurse Award to Dr. Lorraine S. Evangelista, BSN, MN, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, a distinction truly deserved.
by Nelson C. Borrero