Herlie Bertrand

Caring Science in Action: Herlie Bertrand’s Commitment to Nursing and Community Health

Nursing wasn't always an evident career path for Herlie Bertrand, visiting instructor and Student Nurses Association co-advisor at the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. Yet, after exploring many opportunities to care for others within the nursing field, she fell in love with the profession.

“My nursing journey has shaped my need to provide quality care for all,” Bertrand said. “Both at the bedside and as a community advocate, ensuring marginalized populations have access to health care.”

Bertrand is a motivated registered nurse and faculty member pursuing her PhD with a dissertation focused on health care disparities among Black pregnant women. Her experience includes oncology, medical-surgical, telemetry, step-down, home and community health.

Mentoring students both personally and academically is a unique journey she takes on with each of her students.

“My goal is always to come to know them and their individual needs,” she said, adding that it is important for teachers to see where the students are currently and work closely with them to help bring them where they want to go academically and professionally.

“I encourage my students to think big while teaching them how to build small steps towards their goals,” Bertrand shared. “I believe with the right guidance and support, there is nothing we cannot achieve.”

The principles of Caring Science are an intentional part of her teaching. She often poses questions to her students that have them examine the “whole” of the person they are caring for instead of a single “part” - the disease or condition.

“I see caring science influencing this next generation of nurses by challenging them to ensure that even with the advancement of medicine and technology, the patient remains at the core of the care we give,” she stated.

As the Student Nurses Association (SNA) co-advisor, Bertrand encourages students to engage with professional organizations, emphasizing the importance of leadership, advocacy and networking.

"SNA helps students understand the broader impact nursing can have, from local communities to global issues," Bertrand explained. She motivates students to attend conventions, develop resolutions on critical nursing matters, and participate in community health fairs, charities, and fundraising events, fostering a commitment to giving back and making a difference.

Bertrand reflected on her dissertation, saying that despite the ample resources and state-of-the-art medical care in America, maternal health disparities among Black pregnant women still exist.

“It is a critical issue in our communities, and we must find caring-based solutions to address it,” she said, noting that the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing’s PhD program is helping to ground her work in caring science and get to the root of the issues surrounding maternal health disparities.

Specifically, her research has led her to investigate self-advocacy practices among Black pregnant women to better understand their lived experiences and what solutions could provide safer maternal health outcomes.

Bertrand is completing her 18-month program through Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies of Palm Beach County Doula Program, which provides services to Black pregnant women with the hopes of addressing maternal health disparities.

Through this initiative, she became trained and certified as a birth and postpartum doula, serving Palm Beach County residents.

Her research on health equity for pregnant women is also connected to her community outreach work with Hope 4 Her by Gospel Fellowship. The program offers resources and education to women regardless of income, race or age.

“As a nurse, I provide education on high-risk pregnancy conditions and caring for newborns,” she said. Through her work, Bertrand addresses health concerns for pregnant women and infants, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and SIDS.

The ability to serve the Palm Beach County residents in this manner has impacted Bertrand’s teaching, providing her with real-world experiences and a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by those in her care.