MCN’s Carle BroMenn Endowed Professor Dr. Marilyn Prasun knows how devastating heart failure can be. She has seen it run its course a countless number of times in her nursing career. She also knows how crucial research related to the disease can be in mitigating that devastation.
“Many people don’t know that heart failure has a mortality rate of 50% within five years. That’s greater than many cancers,” explains Prasun. “Through research, we have the potential to make a significant impact on patients’ lives. We can help them lead better, longer lives. That’s incredibly powerful.”
Through research, we can help patients lead better, longer lives. That’s incredibly powerful.
Dr. Marilyn Prasun
To this end, Prasun, who joined MCN in 2019, is heading the first-ever large multi-site clinical trials in Illinois State University’s history.
“I observed that when it comes to heart failure, the right treatment at the right time is essential to ensure optimal patient outcomes,” says Prasun. “Many health care providers are challenged when it comes to diagnosing and identifying changes in heart failure. I thought, ‘Isn’t there a better way to assess the progression and prognosis of this disease more accurately?’”
Prasun’s funded research, aims to answer that very question. However, it does much more than that, too.
“Research begets more research. When others see that we can execute a large research study and produce results, they will be more likely to support funding for other projects, not just at MCN but across campus,” she says.
The research that Prasun and others at MCN are doing also helps to attract top tier faculty and students, safeguarding and advancing the nursing profession. Prasun takes great pride in the mentorship she provides to her peers and students.
“Whenever you’re actively engaged in research, it pulls people in,” explains Prasun. “It’s a great way to learn because you’re living the experience. It’s exciting.”
Being actively engaged in research is a great way to learn because you’re living the experience. It’s exciting.
Dr. Marilyn Prasun
Speaking to her passion and skill in research, Prasun was awarded the Heart Failure Society of America’s Nursing Research Leadership Award in October 2022. This award recognizes extraordinary achievement and excellence in nursing that improves outcomes of patients with heart failure.
While Prasun is limited at this time with what she can disclose about the clinical trial, she looks forward to sharing the results of her work in the future and to the effect it could have on nursing, patient care, and MCN.
“Make no doubt about it,” beams Prasun, “we’re moving nursing research forward.”
To learn more about research initiatives at MCN or to explore our Ph.D. in Nursing program, visit Nursing.IllinoisState.edu.
