Season 4: Episode 21: National Nurses Month - Dr. Randolph Rasch (Legendary Episode)!

Send us Fan MailMay is National Nurses Month—a time to honor the 5 million registered nurses across America who serve as the backbone of our healthcare system.This week, we're bringing back a conversation that continues to inspire. In 2022, I sat down with a man who broke barriers, opened doors, and spent over 30 years shaping the future of nursing. His words hit different now—because on June 29th, I begin my own RN program at Dorsey College of Nursing.This episode is personal. And it's powerful.Our Guest:🩺 Randolph Rasch, PhD, RN, FNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN – Professor & 9th Dean (Emeritus), Michigan State University College of NursingDr. Randolph Rasch is a trailblazer in every sense of the word.He is Michigan's first African-American male public health nurse—a distinction that opened a door few knew existed. He went on to become an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, a nursing faculty member, and eventually the 9th Dean of the Michigan State University College of Nursing, one of the most respected nursing programs in the country.Dr. Rasch earned his Bachelor's degree in nursing from Andrews University, his Master's as a Family Nurse Practitioner, and his PhD in Nursing. He has over 30 years of experience teaching in BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD programs.Before his appointment at MSU, Dr. Rasch served as Director of two nationally recognized Family Nurse Practitioner programs—at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was also Chair of the Department of Community Practice Nursing at UNC Greensboro and Interim Chair at North Carolina Central University.Beyond academia, Dr. Rasch served as the first Statewide Director of Nursing Services for the Tennessee Department of Correction, where he designed and implemented an entire system of healthcare that had not previously existed.During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Rasch was appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve on Michigan's Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities, where he chaired the Primary Care Connections Workgroup. His work focused on reaching minority populations who faced the greatest disparities in care and vaccine access.His honors include:🏆Fellow, American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)🏆Fellow, American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP)🏆Distinguished Scholar and Fellow, National Academies of Practice (DS&FNAP)Dr. Rasch has published and presented extensively in the areas of primary care, HIV risk reduction, and diversity in healthcare education and clinical practice.Topics Covered:✅What it means to be a trailblazer in nursing—and why representation matters✅Dr. Rasch's journey from Michigan's first African-American male public health nurse to Dean of MSU's College of Nursing✅The evolving role of nurse practitioners in transforming healthcare delivery✅ How nursing education must adapt to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow✅The importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing✅What it takes to lead in healthcare—with compassion, vision, and excellence✅Advice for anyone considering a career in nursingKey Statistics:💡5+ million registered nurses in the United States💡Nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce💡Nursing is projected to grow 6% through 2032 (faster than average)💡Only 12% of registered nurses are Black/African American💡Only 9% of registered nurses are male💡Nurse practitioners are among the fastest-growing healthcare professionsNational Nurses Month 2026Every May, we honor the nurses who care for us at our most vulnerable moments—at the bedside, in the community, and on the frontlines. National Nurses Week (May 6-12) and National Nurses Month remind us that nurses are the heart of healthcare.To every nurse watching: thank you for what you do. This month and every month.📺 Watch The Home Health Care Today ShowWMYD-TV20 Detroit | Saturdays at 10am EST🎙️ Listen to the PodcastAvailable on Buzzsprout, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcastsProudly sponsored by Meridian, a Centene Corporation company.🔗 Resources:Michigan State University College of Nursing: https://nursing.msu.eduAmerican Nurses Association: https://www.nursingworld.orgAmerican Association of Nurse Practitioners: https://www.aanp.orgNational Black Nurses Association: https://www.nbna.orgNursing Career Resources: https://www.nurse.orgConnect with Us:LinkedIn: Dr. Cleamon Moorer, Jr.LinkedIn: The Home Health Care Today Show#NationalNursesMonth #NursesWeek #NursingExcellence #Trailblazer #NursePractitioner #MichiganStateUniversity #MSUNursing #DiversityInNursing #MenInNursing #BlackNurses #FAAN #GoingVital #HHCTShow #Detroit #Michigan #Meridian #Centene #FromPodcastToBroadcast