Mentoring Profile: Lynne Braun, PhD, College of Nursing

The Rush Women Mentoring Program fosters professional development and a sense of community and collaboration among women faculty at Rush University. In this series, we highlight program mentors and mentees and learn more about how mentoring has impacted them.

Lynne Braun, PhD, nurse practitioner and professor in the Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing, College of Nursing, joined Rush in 1980.

Tell us about your background.

I’m a professor in the Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing, Rush University College of Nursing. I’m also a nurse practitioner in the Rush Heart Center for Women, where I focus on prevention. My clinical and research interests include cardiovascular risk reduction, exercise, cardiac rehabilitation, hyperlipidemia and hypertension management. I’ve served as co-investigator for three research grants funded by the National Institutes of Health and am co-author of five AHA/ACC Scientific Statements and three AHA clinical practice guidelines. I have served as consultant to the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention for several projects. I’m an editorial board member for the Journal of Clinical Lipidology and serve as reviewer for numerous other journals. I’m the past chairperson of the Illinois Advocacy Committee of the American Heart Association and servee on the Midwest Affiliate Board of Directors. I’m the past chairperson of the Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing and am a current member of the Advocacy Coordinating Committee. I’m past president of the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association and a current board member and co-chair of the 2018 symposium.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I am passionate about cardiovascular disease prevention through lifestyle changes, and drug therapies when necessary.

What excited you about your work at Rush?

I came to Rush in 1980 for the practitioner-teacher model and thankfully it still exists today. My clinical practice makes me a better teacher and drives important research questions.

What is your opinion of mentoring and sponsorship?

I have had important mentors during my career and enjoy serving in that role for others.

Do you have tips or advice you would recommend for someone looking to enter your field of work?

Love what you do. Get involved professionally and politically to support necessary policy changes on behalf of your profession and your patients.

What are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I work too much! I like to read, exercise and spend time with family.