91¶ÌÊÓƵ

91¶ÌÊÓƵ Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student, Mindy Robert, is helping improve the quality of life for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) through an adaptive yoga program.

Robert is one of 10 individuals nationally to receive the 2020 International Organization of Multiple Sclerosis Nurses (IOMSN) Nightingale Award. The award honors significant achievements in MS nursing and provides a grant of $5,000, which helped fund her adaptive yoga program.

Robert, a certified MS nurse through the international organization of MS and a nurse practitioner at Ogden Clinic Neurology and Sleep, launched the eight-week pilot program in October 2020. 

“I love yoga not only for the physical rewards, but the emotional and mental health benefits as well. I truly care about my patients' well-being. I hope this program can benefit them in some way, whether that’s mentally, emotionally or even just through making connections with others.”

After suffering various athletic injuries, Robert began examining the possible benefits of yoga for improving muscle and joint health. As she researched, she quickly realized that yoga could have a positive impact on people suffering from neurological disorders such as MS.

While attending the Yoga Moves MS adaptive yoga teacher training with Mindy Eisenberg in Michigan, Robert saw the need for a similar program in Ogden, Utah. The grant funding, along with the support of her family, DNP faculty and Eisenberg helped her achieve her goal. Eisenberg leads each virtual session. The program currently has nine participants.

“I joined this class because I wanted to support other women and people with MS, but I ended up helping myself too,” said Jonnie Melendez, a program participant. “I stopped practicing yoga regularly when my MS started impacting my mobility, but this program has given me the confidence to get back into it. It’s also improved my health and helped me regain some of my range of motion.”

The virtual sessions typically begin with breathing exercises or a mindfulness meditation, followed by stretching and various yoga poses. Each pose has variations to help keep everyone safe and fit individual needs. Yoga poses can be adapted to sitting or standing, or use yoga props such as yoga blocks, a strap or chair to assist.

“I feel strongly that yoga is something anybody can do,” Robert said. “It doesn't matter what level you're at or what physical limitations you may have. Even if you're just sitting in a chair doing stretches and breathing exercises, there's still so many benefits.”

The award not only helped monetarily but it also brought awareness to the need for programs such as this and has proved that something that seems so small can make a big impact for people who may be struggling with physical limitations.

“Mindy has shown so much passion for her MS patients and adaptive yoga,” said Mary Anne Reynolds, 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Annie Taylor Dee School of Nursing associate professor. “She has worked with local agencies and providers, as well as an expert adaptive yoga instructor, to establish collaborative partnerships that will extend well past this project.” 

Starting an adaptive yoga program in the middle of a pandemic while juggling school, work and a family may have seemed daunting, but Robert’s enthusiasm for health, her military background and a supportive family helped overcome the challenge.

“In the military, I learned how to multitask and put 100% effort into whatever task I am doing,” Robert said. “And my family has been so supportive through everything and encouraged me in all my pursuits. I feel it’s set a good example for my children to see the hard work and effort I put into lifelong learning.”

Robert served in the U.S. Air Force for six years before choosing to focus on her nursing career and raising her family. Her husband was also in the Air Force for many years before taking his final assignment in Utah, where their family chose to stay.

As Robert began looking into a doctorate degree in nursing, her love of the Ogden community and proximity to her work led her to 91¶ÌÊÓƵ’s DNP program. During her time at Weber State, the dedication and support from faculty have helped her grow her passion for nursing and helping others.

“I love being part of the community and this program,” Robert said.  “The support of faculty, from my advisers and instructors all the way to the department chair, has been fantastic. They’re always there for me. I can't imagine being anywhere else and not having that support and community.”

Robert is conducting the adaptive yoga program as part of her doctoral degree, which she will complete in spring 2021 with the inaugural class of DNP graduates.

The DNP program, housed in the Dumke College of Health Professions, is now in its third year. The program currently has 25 students enrolled in the post masters to DNP program and 42 in the post bachelor’s of nursing to DNP-family nurse practitioner program. The first 12 students in the post masters to DNP-Leadership program will graduate in spring 2021.

Once Robert completes her doctorate program, she plans to focus on her clinical work, with an eye toward earning a teaching certificate at Weber State.

“I feel very passionate about educating and empowering my patients, so teaching could help me further that,” she explained.

Robert holds a bachelor’s of nursing from Villanova University, a master’s degree in human resources management from Webster University, a master’s in nursing from Drexel University, as well as a post master’s certificate from Maryville University.