Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast

Gone are the days when a hospital was simply a place where patients received care. Today’s hospitals are rapidly evolving into highly connected ecosystems powered by advanced technology, networked devices, and real-time data. The modern hospital is no longer confined to physical walls—it’s a dynamic digital environment where data flows seamlessly, AI supports clinical decisions, and care can happen anywhere.In this episode of Care Anywhere, host Lea Sims sits down with Robin Goldsmith, Practice Leader for Healthcare, Insurance, and Life Sciences at Verizon Business, to explore how technology is transforming hospitals today—and what the future holds. Drawing on his experience guiding large-scale healthcare digital transformations, Robin shares what it truly means to build a “tech-enabled hospital.”Lea and Robin discuss how hospitals are laying the digital foundation for AI-driven care. From virtual nursing models and ambient voice technology to computer vision and medical IoT devices, health systems are integrating technologies that enhance clinical workflows and provide real-time insights at the point of care. These tools not only support faster diagnosis and treatment but also improve operational efficiency and patient outcomes.At the center of this transformation is connectivity. Hospitals now rely on powerful, resilient networks to support everything from patient monitoring and fall detection to imaging and rapid diagnostics. Robin explains why traditional Wi-Fi alone can’t meet today’s data demands, leading many health systems to adopt private wireless networks like private 5G for greater speed, reliability, and security.The conversation also highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity and network resilience as healthcare becomes increasingly digital. And beyond hospital walls, Lea and Robin explore how hospital-at-home programs and remote monitoring are expanding care delivery, enabling clinicians to treat patients wherever they are.Ultimately, technology’s greatest value lies in supporting—not replacing—the human side of healthcare, allowing clinicians to focus more on patient care and less on administrative burden.Tune in to the full episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast at TruMerit.org or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major platforms.

Recognition is often described as a “nice to have” in healthcare, but on this episode of Care Anywhere, it’s framed as something far more essential.Host Lea Sims sits down with Deb Zimmermann, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, Chief Executive Officer of The DAISY Foundation, and Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, co-founder of the organization, to explore how meaningful recognition can shape nurse careers, strengthen resilience, and sustain the global nursing workforce over time.Bonnie shares the deeply personal story behind the founding of The DAISY Foundation, which began after the loss of her stepson and grew into a global movement honoring extraordinary, compassionate nursing care. What started as a simple act of gratitude has since expanded to more than 7,700 healthcare organizations and nursing schools across 45 countries, giving patients, families, and colleagues a way to recognize the nurses who make a lasting difference in their lives.Deb brings the perspective of both a nurse leader and a former DAISY Award recipient organization, unpacking why recognition is not just emotionally meaningful but strategically vital. She explains how patient- and family-driven recognition reinforces purpose, builds compassion satisfaction, and helps nurses reconnect with why they entered the profession in the first place. Together, Deb and Bonnie highlight research showing that meaningful recognition supports retention, teamwork, engagement, and even long-term career longevity, including nurses who remain at the bedside for decades.The conversation also looks beyond individual impact to the broader global workforce. As nursing shortages persist worldwide, Deb and Bonnie discuss how recognition can serve as a unifying force across cultures, health systems, and borders, reminding nurses everywhere that their work is seen, valued, and essential. From bedside clinicians to educators and leaders, the DAISY model offers a way to elevate nursing at every stage of a career.Listeners will come away with a powerful reminder that gratitude, when made visible and intentional, can be a catalyst for resilience, policy conversations, and a healthier future for the global nursing workforce.Tune in to the full episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast on TruMerit.org or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

The Care Anywhere podcast is spotlighting a new global partnership designed to strengthen pediatric nursing education and recognition worldwide. In this episode, host Lea Sims sits down with leaders from TruMerit and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) to unpack a new pediatric nursing micro-credential pathway launching in 2026, and why it matters for child health, workforce development, and nurse career mobility across borders.Lea is joined by Mary Dirks, DNP, ELAN Fellow, Director of Global Initiatives at NAPNAP, and Julia To Dutka, EdD, Chief of TruMerit’s Global Health Workforce Development Institute. Together, they break down what a micro-credential is, how it blends structured learning with validated assessment, and why this model is especially important in pediatric nursing, where specialty education and standardized pathways are not widely available in many parts of the world.Mary and Julia explain how the program begins withPediatric Nursing Fundamentals, built around core topics like developmental and behavioral health, family-centered care, health promotion and prevention, digital health, transitional care, and safeguarding children through areas like maltreatment and neglect. They also share how a global network of subject matter experts across dozens of countries is helping shape the content, and how modular assessments will ensure nurses not only complete training, but demonstrate mastery.The conversation also explores the bigger picture: creating benchmarks that can support health systems, educators, and ministries of health, improving confidence and competence for nurses caring for children, and expanding access through affordability strategies like sliding pricing and potential scholarship or grant support.Tune in to the full episode on TruMerit.org/podcast or find Care Anywhere on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

The Care Anywhere podcast is taking listeners behind the scenes of global health workforce research with a brand-new series: From the Bench. In this kickoff episode, host Lea Sims talks with Dr. Lauren Herckis of TruMerit about how research can move from data to real-world impact — revealing how evidence, collaboration, and curiosity are driving solutions for a stronger, more connected healthcare workforce worldwide.Lea is joined by Dr. Lauren Herckis, Senior Director of the Center for Global Research and Policy at TruMerit, who leads research efforts for the organization’s Global Health Workforce Development Institute. Together, they explore how evidence-based research, data synthesis, and cross-sector collaboration are helping address some of the most pressing challenges in healthcare today — from workforce shortages and skill mobility to digital readiness and equitable access to care.Dr. Herckis shares her background as an anthropologist and researcher in education, technology, and health systems, explaining how evidence-based practice — a concept that began in medicine — is now transforming global workforce development. She and Lea discuss the importance of synthesizing fragmented regional data, the need for global research partnerships, and how TruMerit’s new institute is creating infrastructure to make healthcare data more actionable for policymakers, educators, and health leaders worldwide.Listeners will gain a behind-the-scenes look at how TruMerit is building research capacity to support global health workforce policy and innovation — and how data-driven insights can help us build a more resilient, equitable, and future-ready healthcare ecosystem.Tune in to the full episode on TruMerit.org/podcast or find Care Anywhere on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of TruMerit, welcomes Laura Messineo, Chief Nursing Officer at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions. With more than 35 years of nursing experience and two decades pioneering virtual health, Laura shares her expertise in using telehealth to expand access, empower clinicians, and support international workforce mobility.Laura reflects on her career journey from critical care to leading more than 100 virtual health programs across a major U.S. health system. She describes the early challenges of building telehealth before reimbursement and policy frameworks existed, and how those lessons now shape her leadership at WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions.The conversation explores how virtual nursing, remote patient monitoring, and AI-driven innovations are transforming care delivery and alleviating workforce shortages. Laura highlights her organization’s groundbreaking initiative to establish virtual care operations in the Philippines, enabling international nurses to support U.S. hospitals while remaining in-country.Looking ahead, Laura and Lea discuss the evolution of reimbursement, provider adoption, and the growing demand for English proficiency and tech readiness among global nurses. Their discussion underscores how virtual health can strengthen equity, sustain careers, and reimagine the patient-provider relationship.With insights that blend clinical expertise, innovation, and workforce strategy, this episode sheds light on the opportunities and challenges of virtual care in a global context.Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this bonus Career Journeys episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of TruMerit, welcomes Jose Arnold Tariga, Director of Clinical Education and Development at Insight Global Health and one of the Top 10 finalists for the prestigious Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award, selected from more than 100,000 applicants worldwide. The conversation centers on how internationally educated nurses can prepare for—and thrive in—global careers through clinical readiness, cultural adaptability, and emotional resilience.Arnold’s journey began in the Philippines, where a fainting episode during his first nursing school injection practice only strengthened his determination to succeed. Over the years, he built a career that spans clinical practice, education, and leadership, culminating in his role leading the Grit Academy—a training program in the Philippines designed to bridge the gap between local nursing education and the realities of U.S. healthcare.Through immersive simulation labs, soft-skills coaching, and mentorship, Arnold’s work helps nurses adapt not only to clinical protocols, but also to the cultural, technological, and interpersonal demands of a new environment. His Harvard capstone project provided the blueprint for these efforts, reinforcing his belief that success abroad requires more than passing an exam—it demands holistic preparation.This episode offers an inspiring look at one nurse’s path from local practice to global recognition, and the blueprint he’s building for others to follow. Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of TruMerit, welcomes Kathryn Shaffer, EdD, RN, MSN, CNE, CCFP, Director of Innovation at Thomas Jefferson University’s College of Nursing. Kathryn brings a distinctive perspective on reimagining nursing education and practice through a holistic, self-healing lens.The conversation explores her “Whole Nurse” approach—an integration of design thinking, self-healing practices, and a deep sense of belonging that addresses the profession’s most urgent challenges. Drawing from her academic leadership and front-line experience, Kathryn discusses how reframing the nurse’s role as both caregiver and innovator can transform patient outcomes and career satisfaction alike.Lea and Kathryn also examine how cultivating psychological safety, creative problem-solving skills, and supportive communities can counter burnout, strengthen workforce retention, and inspire the next generation of nurse leaders. From embedding wellness strategies into curricula to fostering collaboration across disciplines, the episode offers actionable insights for building a sustainable, empowered nursing workforce.With equal parts inspiration and practical guidance, this conversation challenges the traditional boundaries of nursing, showing how personal well-being and professional excellence are not competing priorities but essential partners in advancing care.Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform

In this special episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims welcomes two passionate advocates for ethical nurse recruitment: Jocelyn Musni, Chief Clinical Officer at Alere Care Solutions and 2025 recipient of the Daisy Award for Ethical Nurse Recruitment, and Coleen Santa Anna, Managing Owner and CEO of Alere. Together, they shine a light on the pressing need to protect, empower, and fairly compensate international health workers entering the U.S. healthcare system.With decades of combined experience in nursing and hospital leadership, Jocelyn and Coleen share why they left retirement and executive roles to build something better—a human-centered, high-touch recruitment model that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and equity. From walking nurses through contracts to personally meeting them at the airport, Alere’s mission is to ensure each healthcare professional is supported from pre-departure to long-term career success.The conversation tackles labor trafficking risks, predatory contract practices, and the real emotional and financial toll unethical recruitment can take. Jocelyn reflects on her own journey and the lived experiences of countless others who arrive in the U.S. only to face poor pay, isolation, and cultural shock. Alere’s model changes that narrative—focusing on transparency, fair compensation, and building communities around each nurse for sustained success.As global demand for health workers rises, this episode underscores why ethical recruitment isn’t just a best practice—it’s a moral obligation. Nurses deserve more than a placement; they deserve a future filled with opportunity, support, and respect.Listen now on your favorite podcast platform or at trumerit.org/podcast.

In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims welcomes Geoffrey M. Roche, SVP of Healthcare Solutions at Risepoint and a lifelong advocate for healthcare workforce development. With a career shaped by his mother’s journey as a nurse, Geoff shares how personal inspiration, industry insight, and bold leadership are reshaping how we prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.The conversation dives into Geoff’s work at Siemens Healthineers and now at Rise Point, spotlighting innovative models that connect healthcare employers and academic institutions to build more agile, accessible training pathways. From launching the first registered nurse apprenticeship in Wisconsin to expanding global training standards for radiologic technologists, Geoff highlights scalable strategies that blend education, technology, and employer investment.Lea and Geoff explore the importance of shifting from transactional to transformational academic-healthcare partnerships, investing in faculty pipelines, and using tech-enabled education to close gaps in access and equity. They also examine the impact of maldistribution in the global health workforce and the unintended consequences of international recruitment, emphasizing the need to support talent where it lives.Throughout, Geoff calls on industry to lead—to step up, innovate, and collaborate in creating a truly sustainable, inclusive health workforce. His stories remind us that building a better system starts with individuals willing to challenge the status quo and invest in long-term, human-centered solutions.Tune in to hear how technology, apprenticeships, and nurse-led leadership can power a healthier, more equitable future—both in the U.S. and around the world.Listen to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite platform.

In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims welcomes Syl Trepanier, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Officer for Providence Health and member of the TruMerit Board of Trustees.With responsibility for representing more than 36,000 nurses across a multi-state health system, Syl shares his personal journey from caregiving as a child to becoming a national nursing voice and executive leader. His story reflects a lifelong commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and transforming the profession from within.In this conversation, Syl explores the evolving challenges facing nurses today, including staffing shortages, burnout, safety concerns, and outdated care models. He discusses how Providence is redesigning nursing roles and launching virtual care programs that allow nurses to practice at the top of their license while fostering retention, innovation, and improved patient outcomes.Lea and Syl also dig into leadership development, safe staffing frameworks, and the cultural shifts needed to support change. With thoughtful insight and deep experience, Syl calls for a unified nursing voice and a collective willingness to rethink the status quo. He emphasizes that the biggest risk to healthcare is continuing to do things the way they have always been done.This episode offers both inspiration and actionable models for how nursing can lead the future of care through collaboration, courage, and care model evolution.Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims welcomes Pandora Hardtman, an internationally recognized nurse midwife and global health leader. Pandora reflects on her personal journey from the Caribbean to serving as Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Jhpiego and now as a midwifery consultant with the United Nations Population Fund.With a passion for nurse empowerment and ethical mobility, Pandora unpacks the real story behind global nurse migration—beyond brain drain and toward investment, reciprocity, and systemic change. She shares her lived experience navigating frontline care, professional integration, and policy reform across borders, advocating for nurses’ right to pursue global careers while remaining grounded in community impact.The episode explores how competency-based education, global standards, and culturally relevant training environments are essential to workforce development. Pandora and Lea also examine the unintended challenges of over-specialization, the tension between advocacy and adversarial dynamics in care delivery, and the simple technologies that often make the biggest difference in low-resource settings.With a unique blend of personal narrative and global insight, this episode challenges assumptions about who gets to lead and how nurses can shape the future of care—locally and globally.Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this episode of Care Anywhere, host Lea Sims sits down with Louis Brownstone, President of WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, to explore how one of the largest global staffing organizations is giving back to healthcare workers in meaningful, long-term ways. While known for their direct hire placements across the U.S. and Middle East, WorldWide is also investing in workforce development at the source—particularly through educational initiatives across Africa.Louis shares how his early international experiences shaped his commitment to global citizenship, ultimately leading to his collaboration with Books for Africa, a nonprofit that donates millions of books annually to educational institutions across the continent. Since joining WorldWide HealthStaff, Louis has expanded the program’s reach—delivering over 300,000 books to countries including Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, and Ethiopia, with an emphasis on high-quality medical and nursing education materials.The episode explores the far-reaching impact of this work—from empowering nursing students with better educational resources to strengthening economies through remittances sent home by health workers working abroad. Louis and Lea also discuss the nuanced challenges of healthcare workforce mobility and how strategic reinvestment, ethical recruitment, and collaborative development efforts can help create a more equitable global system.Whether you're a healthcare leader, policymaker, or global health advocate, this conversation offers a compelling look at the intersection of recruitment, education, and reinvestment—and why becoming a “global citizen” means giving back.Listen now at trumerit.org/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this final ICN 2025 episode recorded on the floor of the International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki, host Lea Sims welcomes Annesha Archyangelio, Regional Director of Nursing for NHS England. A Jamaican-born, UK-based nursing leader, Annesha shares her powerful personal migration story and how it inspired her to create tools and guidance for internationally educated nurses navigating career mobility and workforce integration.Annesha reflects on her early volunteer experiences in Jamaica, her move to the UK, and her rise through the ranks to regional leadership. She opens up about the challenges she faced during her migration process and how those experiences motivated her to develop resources—culminating in her latest book, International Healthcare Professionals Handbook: A Success Guide to Working in the UK. The guide offers practical support for foreign-trained nurses, midwives, and allied health professionals entering the UK healthcare system, covering everything from licensing, NHS structures, and workplace integration to cultural adaptation and leadership development.The episode explores the critical role of mentorship, community, and resource accessibility in enabling internationally trained nurses to thrive—not just survive—in new healthcare environments. Annesha also discusses the importance of cultural competency, offering strategies to build connections while adjusting to new systems, language, and expectations. Lea and Annesha emphasize how structured support and shared knowledge can bridge professional gaps and strengthen the global health workforce.Whether you’re an internationally trained nurse, a healthcare leader, or a workforce strategist, this episode offers practical insights and a heartfelt reminder of the power of paying it forward.Listen now at trumerit.org/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this special episode recorded at the 2025 International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki, host Lea Sims sits down with Professor Sylvia Fung, President of the Hong Kong Academy of Nursing & Midwifery, and Professor Ying Zhou of Guangzhou Huashang College. Together, they discuss how the nursing profession is evolving in Asia and the critical need for unified global competency standards to guide education, practice, and workforce development.Professor Fung shares her remarkable five-decade journey in nursing—from aspiring architect to midwife, educator, hospital executive, and ultimately Chief Nurse of Hong Kong’s Hospital Authority, overseeing 43 hospitals. Professor Zhou reflects on her own path, starting as a surgical nurse before moving into leadership, teaching, and curriculum development across some of China’s most respected institutions. Both emphasize the value of building the next generation of nurses through mentorship, innovation, and educational reform.The episode explores how nursing in Hong Kong and China has transformed—from skill-based training to comprehensive education focused on clinical judgment, digital health, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking. Professors Fung and Zhou note that nurses today are not only caregivers but also educators, researchers, and policy influencers. Their conversation highlights how the profession has gained visibility and respect, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, and how it must now adapt to aging populations, tech-driven care, and global mobility.As active contributors to TruMerit’s global nursing competency framework, both guests underscore the importance of standardized benchmarks for training and credentialing. They argue that such a framework is essential for ensuring consistency in care, supporting cross-border workforce planning, and elevating nursing as a globally respected profession.Whether you’re a nurse educator, policymaker, or healthcare leader, this episode provides a powerful look at how global collaboration and competency alignment can shape the future of nursing for generations to come.Listen now at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform

Broadcasting from the 2025 International Council of Nurses Congress in Helsinki, host Lea Sims welcomes two inspiring Jamaican nurses—Andrea Christie, MSc, BSN, ENLAC, RM, RN, JP, and Karlene Miller, RN—to discuss the vital but often overlooked specialty of rehabilitative nursing. With decades of combined experience in rehabilitation and midwifery, both guests offer an impassioned perspective on how global standards and credentialing can elevate the visibility, value, and impact of this essential discipline.Andrea and Karlene share deeply personal stories of their paths into nursing—Andrea, who "accidentally" entered the field before falling in love with it, and Karlene, whose passion was ignited by a caregiver’s spirit instilled from childhood. Though neither originally intended to specialize in rehabilitative care, both found themselves placed in Jamaica’s only national rehabilitation facility. What began with reluctance quickly turned into calling, as they discovered the profound reward of helping patients regain function, purpose, and dignity.The episode dives into the realities of rehabilitation in Jamaica, where Andrea and Karlene’s facility serves not just the nation but much of the English-speaking Caribbean. Despite this regional role, the specialty remains undervalued, under-resourced, and often misunderstood—frequently associated only with polio or paralysis. Andrea and Karlene are determined to change that perception through outreach, education, and advocacy, including school visits, professional training, and collaboration with the Nursing Council of Jamaica and international partners like TruMerit.Lea also explores how global credentials—such as TruMerit’s Certified Global Nurse Rehabilitation credential—can catalyze change. Andrea and Karlene emphasize the power of certification to raise care standards, expand visibility, improve compensation, and bring legitimacy to a subspecialty that plays a crucial role in addressing chronic disease, aging populations, and long-term recovery. They stress that rehabilitation is not limited to spinal or trauma cases—it is a whole-body, whole-person approach to care, and it must begin as early as the acute care phase.Whether you’re a nurse, policymaker, educator, or global health advocate, this episode offers a heartfelt and eye-opening look at the transformative power of rehabilitative care—and the people working tirelessly to bring it the recognition it deserves.Listen now at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

In this special episode recorded live from the 2025 International Council of Nurses (ICN) Congress in Helsinki, host Lea Sims welcomes Dr. Oscar Noel Ocho, Director and Senior Lecturer at the University of the West Indies School of Nursing. With more than four decades of experience in nursing and education, Dr. Ocho brings a powerful voice to the conversation around global health workforce development and the emerging field of rehabilitative care.Dr. Ocho shares his deeply personal and spiritual journey into nursing, describing how his early role as a school prefect responsible for escorting injured classmates to the hospital sparked a lifelong calling. From nursing assistant trainee to educator and researcher, his career path has been guided by a passion for service, ministry, and mentorship. Today, he leads efforts to bridge education and research in the Caribbean and beyond.The episode explores the urgent need to strengthen specialty nursing—particularly in rehabilitation—in response to the rising burden of chronic non-communicable diseases. Dr. Ocho discusses challenges facing the Trinidad and Tobago health system, including nurse migration, gaps in licensing outcomes, and a growing demand for rehabilitative services not currently supported by public infrastructure. He outlines two key research initiatives: one exploring cognitive therapy for post-stroke patients through non-physical modalities, and another studying caregiver attitudes in adult home care environments.Lea and Dr. Ocho also discuss the importance of globally recognized credentials, like TruMerit’s newly launched Certified Global Nurse Rehabilitation credential, and how such certifications can drive policy change, raise care standards, and elevate the role of nurses in underserved specialties. As a member of TruMerit’s advisory panel, Dr. Ocho advocates for Caribbean representation in shaping global frameworks and sees certification as a catalyst for subspecialty development across regions.Whether you’re an educator, clinician, policymaker, or advocate, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how research, credentials, and leadership can transform not just the nursing profession—but the future of global healthcare delivery.Tune in at trumerit.org/podcast or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer of TruMerit., welcomes Earl Dalton, MHA, MSL, BSN, NEA-BC, Chief Clinical Officer & VP of Clinical Services at Health Carousel, for a powerful conversation on building a more ethical, sustainable future for global healthcare staffing.Earl shares his personal journey from a small fishing village in Canada to the Duke University Health System and ultimately into his current role leading clinical strategy for one of the largest international nurse staffing firms in the U.S. He discusses the deep responsibility Health Carousel feels as a “social enterprise,” committed not only to ethical recruitment, but also to the professional and personal development of the nurses they serve.The episode explores Health Carousel’s multi-pronged global initiatives—training nurse educators in the Philippines to improve local licensure exam pass rates, launching Uganda’s first ICU nurse training program and computer lab, and partnering with the DAISY Foundation to recognize nurses in underserved regions. Earl explains how these efforts are designed to leave a “better than carbon neutral” footprint in sending countries by strengthening local infrastructure and contributing back to the global nursing workforce.Lea and Earl also discuss the future of health worker mobility, the need for career path planning, and the vital leadership role nurses must play in shaping global healthcare policy and innovation. Whether you’re a frontline clinician, a policymaker, or a recruiter, this episode offers insight into what ethical, future-ready health workforce development really looks like.Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

In the latest episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at TruMerit (formerly CGFNS International, Inc.), is joined by Jim Campbell, Director of Health Workforce at the World Health Organization (WHO), and Peter Preziosi, President & CEO of TruMerit. Together, they explore pressing global nursing workforce challenges, the upcoming State of the World’s Nursing Report, and strategies for strengthening health systems worldwide.Jim Campbell highlights the WHO Global Strategy on Health Workforce 2030, emphasizing the need for investment in workforce education, optimizing existing resources, and improving global workforce data to ensure universal health coverage. He also discusses the impact of COVID-19, which accelerated innovation in digital health and workforce policies but also exposed critical shortages and funding gaps.Peter Preziosi introduces True Merit's focus on care model evolution, ethical recruitment, and career mobility. He shares insights on their initiatives, including a global rehabilitation certification for nurses and the evaluation of ethical recruitment standards to align with WHO’s Global Code of Practice on International Recruitment. Both guests stress the urgency of addressing workforce shortages, ensuring fair recruitment practices, and adapting education to prepare healthcare professionals for the future.As the healthcare landscape evolves, this episode underscores the importance of global collaboration, policy innovation, and investment in nursing leadership to sustain a resilient workforce.Tune in to the full episode at trumerit.org/podcast or on your favorite podcast platform.

On this special Career Journeys episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims sits down with Shailadi Gupta, CEO and Founder of Kindshell Healthcare. A nurse and holistic wellness coach, Shailadi shares her inspiring journey from India to Canada and how her experiences shaped her mission to support other Indian nurses in achieving global career success.Born into a family of doctors, Shailadi’s path to nursing was both unconventional and transformative. Despite societal stigma surrounding nursing in India, her parents supported her decision, leading her to train at the National Institute of Nursing Education in Chandigarh. Inspired by her mother’s health journey and her exposure to global nursing practices, Shailadi sought opportunities to advance her career abroad.After navigating the challenges of migrating to Canada, Shailadi recognized significant gaps in support for internationally trained nurses. Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to establish Kindshell Healthcare in 2017. The academy offers comprehensive programs for nurses, including licensing guidance, exam preparation, peer mentorship, and acculturation training to integrate seamlessly into Canada’s healthcare system.To date, Kindshell Healthcare has supported over 4,000 nurses, many of whom now excel in leadership roles or as mentors within the healthcare industry. Shailadi emphasizes that nursing extends beyond clinical care to encompass leadership, policy-making, and entrepreneurship. Her academy focuses on equipping nurses with global skills, preparing them to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.This episode highlights Shailadi’s transformative impact on global nursing opportunities and underscores the importance of mentorship, resilience, and forward-thinking leadership.For more stories like Shailadi’s, tune in to Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast on your favorite platform or at cgfns.org/podcast.

In this special episode of Care Anywhere: The Global Health Workforce Podcast, host Lea Sims, Chief Marketing Officer and Host at CGFNS International, dives deep into the critical role of English language proficiency in global healthcare workforce mobility. Joined by guest Spiros Papageorgiou, Principal Measurement Scientist at ETS, the discussion unpacks how language proficiency benchmarks are set, their role in career mobility, and the human impact of these assessments.Spiros brings unique insights, drawing from his extensive experience with ETS’s renowned proficiency tests like TOEFL. He underscores that while language proficiency is necessary for success, it’s not sufficient on its own. Factors such as cultural adaptation, professional expertise, and social support also significantly influence outcomes. Highlighting the nuanced process of setting cut scores, Spiros emphasizes the balance between ensuring safety in high-stakes fields like healthcare and creating opportunities for global health workers.Lea and Spiros explore how proficiency testing must align with real-world demands, particularly in healthcare, where communication varies across patient care, team collaboration, and critical decision-making. They discuss the importance of continuous upskilling in language proficiency, not only for career success but also for fostering social integration and building meaningful connections in new environments.This episode offers actionable advice for internationally educated nurses and healthcare workers. Spiros encourages leveraging modern resources such as language apps, subtitles, and immersive experiences to enhance proficiency. Lea concludes with an empowering reminder: minimum proficiency is the starting line, not the finish line—fluency should be the ultimate goal.For anyone navigating the challenges of career mobility in healthcare, this episode provides a thoughtful, empathetic, and practical perspective on the intersection of language, opportunity, and global workforce development. Tune in to hear how proficiency assessments are not just regulatory hurdles but critical enablers of a resilient and skilled global health workforce.