Rosabel Unscripted Podcast: Empowering the Heart—A Conversation with Dr. Monica Sanford
This week on Rosabel Unscripted, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Monica Sanford, DNP, ACNP—a dedicated acute care nurse practitioner, educator, advocate, and mom whose journey into nursing was sparked by a deeply personal experience. In this blog post, we’ll explore Monica’s inspiring path, her community outreach efforts, and practical advice for fellow nurse practitioners who aspire to blend clinical care, education, and advocacy.
A Journey Born of Love
Monica’s nursing career began not in a classroom, but at the bedside of her newborn son, who was born with a severe congenital heart defect. “All the nurses at the bedside literally kept him alive until all the surgeons could get there and cardiology,” she recalls—an experience that drives the purpose and passion behind her work today.
Though she had been in business before her son’s birth, seeing the critical role nurses played inspired her to return to school. Today, Monica is an acute care nurse practitioner specializing in cardiology, and she’s completed her doctorate to further her advocacy efforts for patients and fellow nurses alike.
Balancing Clinical Demands and Family Life
Monica and I share the unique challenge of balancing a demanding healthcare role with life as military spouses. Her husband, a Marine, paused deployments during their son’s surgeries but still faced multiple tours overseas. Monica reflects, “It is very difficult being a military spouse period, but then you throw in a special needs child on top of that”—a sentiment I deeply resonate with as a fellow military spouse and NP.
From Bedside to the Capitol: Community Outreach & Advocacy
Beyond the hospital walls, Monica is a passionate community advocate. She volunteers at free clinics, where she and her team secured a $100,000 grant to educate minority communities on cardiovascular health. They hosted seminars in barbershops and community centers, teaching attendees how to monitor blood pressure, understand cholesterol levels, and recognize stroke or heart attack warning signs—empowering hundreds to take charge of their health.
Monica also takes her voice to state and national capitals, partnering with the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to secure research funding and policy changes. “We are the expert in the room,” she emphasizes, reminding nurse practitioners that they play a crucial role in shaping public health at any level.
Strategies for Engaging Underserved Communities
When asked about effective outreach methods, Monica highlighted one core principle: trust. “We listen and take into account everything that they want to tell us. That builds trust,” she explains. By adopting a patient-centered approach and clearly explaining not just the “what” but the “why” behind care recommendations, NP-led teams can overcome skepticism and improve compliance in underserved populations.
Advice for Aspiring Nurse Practitioners
For NPs just starting out, Monica shares a simple yet powerful tip: prepare your elevator pitch. Identify your legislative priorities, craft a concise three-minute ask, and anticipate fiscal or logistical questions. “You will get nothing if you don’t ask,” she reminds us—empowering new practitioners to engage confidently with policymakers.
She also encourages pursuing one step at a time—echoing my own journey of completing prerequisites one semester at a time—and urged listeners to follow their passion and purpose: “If you follow your dream, follow your heart, follow your passion and your purpose and take care of patients, that’s a wonderful thing to be able to do.”
The Ripple Effect of Advocacy
Seeing the tangible impact of her work is what drives Monica each day. From her son’s remarkable health journey—graduating college, authoring books, and thriving as an adult congenital heart patient—to the patients whose quality of life improves through education and policy change, she has witnessed firsthand how one nurse’s passion can shape countless lives.
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