This episode features Dr. Marianne Baernholdt, Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Virginia, who brings a unique international perspective to healthcare leadership. Born in Denmark and educated across multiple countries, Dr. Baernholdt's journey spans continents, cultures, and nearly every role within the nursing profession.
We discuss her pioneering research in rural healthcare, which challenges common assumptions about healthcare quality in underserved areas. Her studies reveal that rural hospitals often excel in team dynamics and holistic patient care, providing crucial touchpoints for communities that would otherwise lack access to preventive healthcare. Dr. Baernholdt also shares insights from her global health work, including eye-opening experiences in South Africa where rural clinics demonstrated sophisticated quality tracking methods ahead of their time.
As an immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Dr. Baernholdt offers honest reflections on dealing with imposter syndrome, finding belonging in new environments, and learning to laugh at yourself along the way. Her advice to young women is refreshingly practical: be curious, don't limit yourself, and do it even when you're uncomfortable—because nobody else can see those butterflies in your stomach. From co-founding Denmark's first women's crisis center to leading a top nursing school while mentoring the next generation, Dr. Baernholdt exemplifies how embracing vulnerability and supporting others can create lasting change.
Show Notes & Links Of Interest
00:00 - 01:52 - Introduction
Hosts introduce Dr. Marianne Baernholdt, Dean of UVA School of Nursing
Preview of topics: rural healthcare research, nursing education, leadership
Unique perspective on nursing as a majority-women field in higher education
01:52 - 04:40 - Meeting and Introductions
Greetings and setting: Eli and Claire at Penn Medicine, Dr. Baernholdt at UVA
Host introductions: Eli (recent undergrad graduate) and Claire (11, sixth grade, new host)
Dr. Baernholdt introduces herself
04:40 - 07:40 - Childhood and Path to Healthcare
Growing up in Copenhagen as oldest of two children
Pivotal moment: "Nobody should die alone" - inspired healthcare career
Denmark's nationalized education system
Choosing between medicine and nursing
Reasons for choosing nursing: competitive to get in, flexibility, ability to reinvent yourself
07:40 - 14:30 - Rural Healthcare Research
How she got into rural healthcare through PhD dissertation at Penn
Research question: Why isn't nurse staffing research being used globally?
Finding: Most research done in US urban medical centers, not applicable elsewhere
Postdoctoral fellowship at UNC Chapel Hill comparing rural and urban healthcare
Key findings: Rural hospitals equal or better in patient outcomes
Higher job satisfaction among rural nurses
Rural hospitals as community-owned with holistic approaches
Nurses knowing patients' full situations and coordinating comprehensive care
Challenge: Rural hospitals close first when healthcare spending is cut
Work with National Rural Health Association
14:30 - 16:40 - International Perspective: South Africa
Global rural healthcare work in South Africa
Clinics run by registered nurses 24/7
Advanced quality tracking methods 15 years ago (paper and pencil on clinic walls)
Holistic approach to patients and social determinants of health
Learning opportunities from international healthcare systems
16:40 - 19:40 - Overcoming Challenges
Two decades in school (RN to BSN, two masters, PhD, postdoc)
Having three kids while pursuing education
Importance of having a plan B
Accepting that not everything works out as planned
"When one door closes, another one opens"
Example: Wanted to be pulmonary transplant manager, had to move, led to teaching full-time
Advice: Ask for help from people in the field
"Give yourself grace" - be kind to yourself when things don't work out
19:40 - 23:30 - Self-Doubt and Cultural Navigation
Looking back at progress vs. looking forward at goals
Don't compare yourself to others - compare to your own journey
Straddling two cultures: Denmark (teamwork/consensus) vs. US (individualism)
Using differences as strengths for broader perspective
Learning to laugh at yourself
Story: First day as nurse in US, asking patient for "soup" instead of "soap"
Using "English as a second language" as gentle way to acknowledge differences
23:30 - 26:00 - Imposter Syndrome
Dealing with imposter syndrome as immigrant, first-gen college student, and woman
Finding community and belonging in each new phase of life
Recognizing the pattern: "Oh, here we go again"
Each new role requires finding new place of belonging
Speaking about it helps normalize the experience
Reading and listening to content about imposter syndrome
Eli relates: Hearing from accomplished guests that they all experienced it too
26:00 - 29:00 - Educational Credentials Explained
PhD: Research doctorate from Penn, focus on healthcare organizations and quality
MPH: Master's in Public Health from Columbia, focus on International Health
Also earned Master's in Critical Care Nursing, became Advanced Practice Nurse
RN: Registered Nurse licensure exam
FAAN: Fellow of American Academy of Nursing - highest honor in nursing profession
Based on impact on healthcare through rigorous nomination process
29:00 - 31:40 - Most Proud Accomplishments
Teaching Award from students - based on student evaluations
Loves teaching, misses it as Dean (now mentors instead)
Tony Award for extraordinary contributions to healthcare from Medical Surgical Nursing Society
Medical-surgical nursing is single biggest specialty (largest impact)
Recognition for focus on improving conditions for practicing nurses and teams
Better teams = better patient outcomes
31:40 - 34:20 - Nursing as Majority-Women Field
UVA named one of best nursing schools for men
Creating belonging for all underrepresented groups
Special programs highlighting accomplished men in nursing
Student organization: "The Man Group" (men in nursing)
Nursing traditionally female - both strength and "Achilles heel"
Flexibility attracts women: Easy to step in/out, part-time/full-time options
Can start with two-year degree, progress to highest degrees
Multiple specialties and levels can be confusing to outsiders
34:20 - 39:20 - Mentors and Role Models
Parents as top mentors despite limited formal education
Both grew up during/after WWII
Father: Seven years of school, taught himself multiple languages
Mother: Limited by her father's traditional views
Parents strongly encouraged education, worked extra to provide opportunities
"If you set your mind to something, you can do it"
Clinical instructor in Denmark during first rotation
Supportive presence when Eli almost passed out during first patient encounter
Dr. at Penn who became Dean - world-renowned, down to earth
First nurse inducted into National Academy of Medicine
Maintaining long-term mentorship relationships
39:20 - 44:20 - Empowering Women
Sharing vulnerability as form of empowerment
"You don't have to figure it out before you try something"
Didn't plan to be Dean - opportunity came and she evaluated it
Listening to people considering leadership positions
Major story: As nursing student in Denmark, co-founded first crisis center for women
Grassroots movement: 300 women occupied old mansion in Copenhagen
Three years raising money to buy the building
Learning to lead 300 diverse women through consensus
Now an NGO that's self-sustaining and still operating
Biggest empowerment experience: Women leaning on each other, celebrating progress
Looking at how far you've come, not just what's left to achieve
44:20 - 46:40 - Final Advice
Be curious, don't limit yourself
Step in and step up when you get the chance
Key quality to embrace: Do it even if you're uncomfortable
"Do it even if you have butterflies in your stomach"
“You're the only one who can feel the butterflies - nobody else knows”"
Example: Had butterflies before this interview but did it anyway
Hosts couldn't tell she was nervous
46:40 - 50:40 - Closing and Reflection
Thank yous and appreciation for the podcast mission
Hosts
