Rachel Walker is a nurse at the University of Massachusetts Amherst committed to developing life-saving technologies, as well as raising the profile of her profession.
Walker, 38, is an “invention ambassador” designated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Lemelson Foundation as part of a program highlighting the importance of innovation in science. She was recognized for leading a research team during the last six months that developed a prototype backpack device with a filtration system to clean water.
It resulted from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria when nurses on Puerto Rico told her that they were running short of medical supplies as electricity remained out on most of the island.
Walker is an assistant professor of nursing at UMass and associate director of its Institute for Applied Life Sciences Center of Personalized Health Monitoring, a collaboration of engineers, computer scientists, chemists and nurses who develop medical technologies.
“As I was getting these texts, and after talking to some of my colleagues … I (realized) that we have people who build filtration systems and know about chemistry and mechanical engineering. Couldn’t we build something to address this problem?” Walker recalled.
The device her team developed allows first responders to filter unsanitized water to put into intravenous bags containing salt, vitamins and other medical products. Those are less bulky and easier to store and fill at the site of an emergency, an improvement on the current practice of shipping bags already filled with liquids.
Walker is the first nurse honored as an “invention ambassador,” an award typically given to researchers at universities and businesses. She will attend an event in Washington, D.C., during July with other ambassadors where she intends to highlight the work done by nurses as technology innovators.
“We’re often associated with characteristics like caring, and advocating for our patients, but we’re not always as well respected as scientists, and innovators and leaders, even though every nurse on the floor who you’re going to meet is leading in some way,” Walker said.
Among the earlier technologies she helped create is a device that measures the toxicity of body fluids following chemotherapy, developed in collaboration with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Research.
We commend Walker for her commitment to improving medical care and dedication to her profession.
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The Nurturing Fathers Program continues to be a success at the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction. Its fifth graduation during the past three years was held Wednesday, when 10 inmates received certificates.
The 14-week program sponsored by the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office and the Children’s Trust Fund, which aims to stop child abuse, includes a written curriculum and weekly classes designed to give the men the skills to build an “unbreakable bond” with their children, even though they are separated by incarceration.
Among last week’s graduates was Jason Gonzales, who has three daughters with his fiancee, Ashley Savoie. “I want to be more patient, more proactive. Life’s not easy, and I want to support and encourage my daughters,” he said.
“I think a lot of families should have access to programs like this,” Gonzales added. “This program is just awesome. It lets you touch base with an inner part of yourself you didn’t even know existed.”
That should help Gonzalez be a loving father, as well as a productive citizen, when he gets out of jail.
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Many kind words were said about David Whitely during a gathering June 25 to mark his retirement after a quarter century as chaplain at the Veteran Affairs Central Western Massachusetts Healthcare System in Leeds.
“It’s a wonderful 25 years,” Whitely said. “Our veteran population is just a special community within this country and they have all just been fabulous to work with.”
John Paradis, veterans’ outreach coordinator for the VA, said, “I think the thing about David that is so great is that he truly understands veterans in that he is a veteran himself. He has a very good way of meeting people wherever they happen to be in life, in a way that doesn’t feel like you are receiving religion.”
Whitely served three years of active duty with the U.S. Army and 18 years in the Army National Guard before turning to the ministry. We wish him well in the next chapter of his life.