Guiding the Future of Academic–Community-Based Organization Engagement: A Framework for Health Equity in Nursing Education and Practice

By Dr. Jimmy A. Reyes and colleagues, published in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing

At MyHealthIowa – MiSaludIowa, we are proud to celebrate the publication of a new guest editorial authored by our own Dr. Jimmy A. Reyes, alongside colleagues from the University of Rochester, Iowa Community HUB, and the Iowa Primary Care Association.

The article, titled “Guiding the Future of Academic–Community-Based Organization Engagement: A Framework for Health Equity in Nursing Education and Practice,” was published in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing (September 2025 issue) .

Why This Work Matters

For too long, most academic–practice partnerships in nursing have focused narrowly on hospitals and health systems. While important, this approach often overlooks the vital role of community-based organizations (CBOs)—trusted groups embedded in neighborhoods, parishes, and local networks that truly understand the needs of the people they serve.

Dr. Reyes and his coauthors make the case that integrating CBOs into nursing education and practice is essential to advancing health equity. These partnerships give nursing students and faculty direct opportunities to learn cultural humility, build trust, and co-create solutions with marginalized communities.

Real Examples from Iowa

The editorial highlights work happening right here in Iowa, where MyHealthIowa/MiSaludIowa partners with the University of Northern Iowa Nursing Program and the Des Moines University Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Program. Together, we have provided free health screenings and vaccine education in rural and immigrant communities—helping students learn hands-on skills while serving Latinx and refugee populations .

Other Iowa models, like the Iowa Community HUB, demonstrate how CBO partnerships can connect families to housing, food assistance, and health referrals, while teaching students the importance of navigating community resource systems.

A Call to Action for Nursing Education

The article concludes with a powerful call: nursing schools, professional organizations, and health leaders must formally integrate CBOs into national partnership frameworks. By doing so, nursing education will prepare graduates who not only understand the science of care but also the social realities that shape health.

As Dr. Reyes writes, the time to act is now. Through sustained, equitable partnerships, we can build a nursing workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow—side by side with the communities we serve.

Read the Full Article

You can read the full editorial in the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing here: Healio Journal Link