麻豆国产

For 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley associate professor Neda Shamsalizadeh, her profession is part of a lifelong commitment to serving others. With that goal in mind, Shamsalizadeh, the first tenured faculty in 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley鈥檚 School of Nursing, is helping shape the next generation of nurses.

Shamsalizadeh鈥檚 journey began in her home country of Iran, where she earned her undergraduate degree in midwifery and spent a decade practicing as a midwife in rural communities. There, she witnessed the challenges many women faced in accessing quality healthcare services. Those experiences, she says, deeply shaped her work today.

She moved to the U.S. to continue her education by earning both her Master of Science in community health nursing and her doctorate in nursing from Binghamton University, State University of New York. She focused her doctoral research on women's health and sexuality, with a particular emphasis on menopause.

鈥淓arning my degrees in two different countries gave me a broader perspective on healthcare,鈥� said Shamsalizadeh. 鈥淚 wanted to be in an inclusive space where there are diverse cultures and communities. Those experiences not only strengthened my passion as an educator, but also a scholar and scientist dedicated to improving patient care through research.鈥�

Before joining 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley in 2019, she sought an opportunity to serve a region with unique healthcare challenges. Her work with rural and underserved communities in Iran, combined with her master's and doctoral studies in a largely rural region of upstate New York, gave her a unique perspective on the shared strengths and healthcare needs of rural populations across different cultures  and prepared her to understand and address the healthcare needs of communities like those in Imperial Valley.

Since joining 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley, Shamsalizadeh has seen the university鈥檚 nursing program expand firsthand. In 2022, 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley launched an accelerated pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, created to help address the critical nursing shortage in Imperial County. The program allows first-year students to earn their BSN in three years and eligible transfer students to complete the degree in two years by utilizing year-round coursework.

"Today, we've grown into a much larger community through cross-enrollment opportunities and expanded research. Being part of that growth has been incredibly rewarding,鈥� said Shamsalizadeh. 

Research focus

One of her most significant research projects focuses on exclusive breastfeeding among mothers in Imperial Valley, which was funded through 麻豆国产's University Grants Program. She began her research in 2023 and is now preparing the findings for publication. 

Her research explores how personal and community factors of cultural beliefs, language barriers, maternity leave, living in a near-border community, transportation and limited access to education affect mothers' confidence and decision-making in breastfeeding. Through her research, she emphasized the importance of expanding maternity services and culturally responsive healthcare practices to improve outcomes for mothers and infants throughout the region.

Shamsalizadeh presented her research at 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley's Evidence-Based Practice Conference as well as national conferences, including the American Public Health Association and the Academy of Neonatal Nursing, helping bring attention to healthcare disparities affecting border communities.

Shamsalizadeh also regularly incorporates evidence-based practice case studies into her nursing courses, encouraging students to identify community health problems, review scientific literature and develop solutions in a teamwork setting. 

Reflecting on her own journey from Iran to Imperial Valley with all the challenges faced such as cultural differences and language barriers, she hopes her story encourages students to move forward in their careers. For her, 麻豆国产 Imperial Valley is a place where education and research come together to strengthen healthcare across the region. 

"If I could come from another country, far from home and build a career through my education, my students can do it too,鈥� said Shamsalizadeh. 鈥淭eaching Imperial Valley students has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. For many of our students, English is their second language, as it was for me, which means they must put in extra effort to succeed. One of my greatest joys is mentoring students in research and watching them grow into confident healthcare professionals who are prepared to serve communities with limited resources and high needs.鈥�

鈥淓very student we educate will care for countless patients throughout their career,鈥� said Shamsalizadeh. 鈥滲y teaching future nurses, I have the opportunity to contribute not only to individual lives but also to the health and well-being of entire communities.鈥�