Rachael Alexander

Rachael Alexander is the honored recipient of the Terry Fulmer Scholarship. Rachael is currently pursuing a Dual DNP/PhD in Nursing at the University of Utah, specializing as an Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP).  Rachael began her nursing career after earning her associate degree in nursing from Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Utah. Her academic path reflects a deep commitment to clinical excellence and nursing research, especially in the areas of aging, oncology, and palliative care.

With over two decades of oncology nursing experience, Rachael brings a seasoned, compassionate approach to her work. Her interest in cancer care began at age 12, when a school report on melanoma sparked a lifelong fascination with oncology.  Today, she is especially drawn to caring for older adults with advanced cancer—patients she believes deserve both exceptional medical care and relief from suffering through timely palliative interventions.

Rachael’s motivation to pursue advanced degrees is rooted in the countless patients and families she has cared for at the Huntsman Cancer Hospital as an inpatient bedside nurse on the medical oncology unit where she saw many endure unnecessary suffering due to delayed or inadequate palliative care. These experiences inspired her to focus her dissertation research on caregiving attitudes that influence early palliative care and end-of-life decision-making for adults with advanced cancer. Using the Utah Population Database, she is conducting a mixed-methods study that will provide critical insights into how family dynamics and beliefs impact healthcare utilization, with the goal of creating interventions that promote earlier palliative care referrals.

Beyond academics and research, Rachael remains actively involved in her school and professional organizations.  She currently serves on the board of the Intermountain Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society and is the student representative on the University of Utah College of Nursing’s PhD committee.  Rachael enjoys teaching in the undergraduate program --imparting her knowledge to the rising generation of nurses.  She is a research assistant on the Utah Caregiving Population Science Research Team working on reducing disparities in palliative care access.  Her long-term goal is to become a nurse practitioner in the outpatient cancer palliative care clinic at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, where she can blend direct patient care with research and leadership to improve system-level outcomes as a nurse scientist. 

Receiving the NEF Terry Fulmer Scholarship is a powerful support for Rachael’s nursing journey.  It reduces financial barriers, allowing her to fully engage in research, clinical training, and leadership development while also balancing her responsibilities as a mother of five young children still living at home. This award affirms her commitment to improving the lives of medically vulnerable older adults and reinforces her determination to be a catalyst for change in palliative care.