ANA Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation® Spotlight: Joan Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN, CEN
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Nurse advocates for planetary health — and the health of future generations
“A ruined planet cannot sustain human lives in good health. A healthy planet and healthy people are two sides of the same coin.” —Margaret Chan, MD, former director-general of the World Health Organization.
#healthynurse Joan Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN, CEN, would agree with this statement. Retired from a dual career in nursing and corporate finance and accounting, Joan now dedicates her energy to advocating for planetary health and preserving the environment.
“I have learned how human activity has harmed and continues to harm our environment,” she says. “I want to spend the balance of my life working to stop and reverse this harm. I want to help ensure my children and grandchildren will have a healthy life on a healthy planet.”
Joining the Planetary Health Movement
Joan began her journey into advocacy after a colleague enlisted her help in educating the public about the health impacts of climate change. “I was asked to use my trusted health care voice to help other professionals, the public, and policymakers understand our situation,” she says. “I joined the planetary health initiative because I wanted to do what I could to protect our environment for future generations.”
The Planetary Health Mission
First defined in a 2015 report by The Rockefeller Foundation – Lancet Commission, planetary health recognizes the connection between human health and the health of our planet.
“Planetary health emphasizes the way humans affect the environment, which in turn affects human well-being,” says Joan.
According to Joan, environmental concerns like air and water pollution, soil quality, and extreme weather events all have a direct and critical impact on our health. The mission of planetary health advocates is to educate people about the need to find solutions and take action to address our environmental challenges.
A Unique Skill Set
In 2021, Joan joined a group of interdisciplinary colleagues to launch NH Healthy Climate (NHHC). NHHC is a New Hampshire-based nonpartisan coalition of passionate health care workers seeking to address global climate change. Joan’s professional background in both health care and finance gave her a unique opportunity to support NHHC.
Before becoming a nurse, Joan served in multiple corporate accounting and finance roles including chief financial officer (CFO). In 2004, she pursued a second career in nursing and practiced clinically at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH. She also served as adjunct clinical faculty for the University of New Hampshire. Now retired from nursing, she serves as NHHC’s treasurer and interim executive director.
“While most of my work is focused on administrative and fundraising matters, it supports the infrastructure that enables our volunteers to perform the mission-related work of the organization,” she says.
Encouraging People to Take Action
Joan notes that while people acknowledge that the climate is changing, many don’t believe or realize the impact it has on their health and the health of their family.
“The issue does not resonate for everyone,” she says. “The key to getting people to take action is to first engage them in conversation so they can be encouraged to act.”
Joan and her colleagues at NHHC focus on both health professional and public education about climate change and health. This includes sharing evidence-based information through town libraries, faith communities, service organizations, nursing schools, and more.
Educating the Next Generation
NHHC also developed 2 pediatric-focused programs: Climate & Health Initiative for Caregivers and Kids (CHICKs) and the Climate-Informed Pediatric Care (CIPC) program.
CHICKs teaches K-8 children how to protect themselves from climate events like extreme heat, vector-borne illnesses, extreme weather anxieties, and more. “We teach age-appropriate lessons in after-school programs and give children informational newsletters to take home,” Joan says.
CIPC uses a lunch-and-learn format to teach primary care providers how to incorporate climate and health education during routine pediatric visits.
Advocating at the State Legislature
NHHC advocates within New Hampshire on bills before the state legislature which might have an environmental and health impact, Joan says. “We use our expert health care voices to share the health consequences of proposed legislation,” she notes.
Taking Steps to Reduce Environmental Impact
On a personal level, Joan has worked to reduce her personal impact on the environment. She had a geothermal heating and cooling system installed in her home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), geothermal energy is a renewable resource that harnesses the Earth’s heat.
“This technology enabled me to get rid of an oil-burning furnace, a high-use electric air conditioning unit, and an electric water heater,” Joan says.
Joan switched to a hybrid vehicle and cut down on single-use plastic consumption. “I am constantly on the lookout for household products not sold in plastic containers,” she says. “I recycle everything I can and limit my personal trash to 1 kitchen bag every 10 days.”
How Nurses Can Advocate for Planetary Health
According to Joan, nurses, who make up the largest component of the health care workforce, have power in numbers when it comes to advocating for change. “We need to use our voices to advocate for sustainability initiatives in our health care institutions,” she says.
There are many resources and toolkits available online to guide nurses on advocacy. The Innovation Advisory Committee (IAC) of the American Nurses Association (ANA) compiled a comprehensive resource guide for planetary and global health (PDF).
Nurses can also educate themselves and their patients on the health impacts of climate change. “For instance, if a patient has respiratory or cardiovascular disease, ask if they have a place to stay cool during high heat index days, or when the air quality is poor,” she says.
Finally, nurses can examine their own carbon footprint and see where they can improve. For instance, Joan suggests:
- Carpool or take public transportation to work a few days a week.
- Look for household items that come in non-plastic, recyclable containers.
- Plant a tree.
“Start with one simple change,” she says. “You’ll feel better. Then make one more, and so on.”
Joan Widmer, MS, MSBA, RN, CEN, is the treasurer and interim executive director for NH Healthy Climate (NHHC). She also serves as the treasurer for the American Nurses Association (ANA).
Have you joined the planetary health movement? How do you advocate for a healthier environment? Share your #healthynurse story with us in the comments.
Interested in other nurse stories engaged in planetary health? Check out these #healthynurse Spotlights:
- Susan Hassmiller, PhD, RN, FAAN
- Teddie Potter, PhD, RN, FAAN, FNAP
- Katie Huffling, DNP, RN, CNM, FAAN
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Blog #healthynurse Spotlight
04/23/2025 7:58pm CDT
The #healthynurse Spotlight is a shout out to nurses who are making changes in their lives to improve their health and wellness. You can too! Read their stories for inspiration here.
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