Researchers in the Michigan State University College of Nursing are improving health outcomes for people of all ages beyond traditional clinical settings, from supporting cancer caregivers through grief to helping children build lifelong healthy habits. Backed by federal research funding, Spartan nursing faculty are translating evidence-based research into real-world solutions that strengthen the health and well-being of families and communities across Michigan.
Cancer caregivers often shoulder an invisible burden, providing unpaid, around-the-clock support to loved ones while navigating the emotional toll of end-of-life care. Yet despite their critical role, they remain an often overlooked population in both research and health care support systems.
At the Michigan State University College of Nursing, researchers Rebecca Lehto and Gwen Wyatt are working to change that. Drawing on clinical experience and emerging evidence on holistic care, Lehto is developing interventions aimed not only at patients but also at the family members who care for them.