By Teresa Hicks
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Associate Professor Shena Gazaway, PhD, RN, and Assistant Professor Rachel Wells, PhD, RN, CNL (MSN 2009, PhD 2019), have received a $50,000 grant from The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation to develop interventions to support caregivers in partnering with loved ones experiencing pain with heart failure by enhancing coping strategies and strengthening support skills, while also addressing caregiver burden, loneliness, personal health and overall quality of life.
The study builds on their 2023 Hillman-funded pilot, Project ADAPT HF (ADdressing pain through nAvigator led Palliative care opTimized for Heart Failure), which focused on improving pain management for Black and rural-dwelling adults with symptomatic heart failure. Their program of research stems from their clinical experiences in cardiac care and community health. Gazaway and Wells saw firsthand how pain and cardiovascular disease impacted patients’ and families' day-to-day living.
“In the community, we saw how pain affected every part of our patients’ and families’ lives,” they said. “While research shows pain impacts hospitalization and mental health, under-resourced patients often face untreated pain. Our earlier Hillman study and community feedback highlighted that pain affects both patients and caregivers, yet few resources exist to support caregivers in this role.”
According to Gazaway and Wells, more than 80% of 7.2 million U.S. adults with heart failure report frequent pain, with nearly 75% stating that it interferes with their independence and quality of life; yet it often goes unaddressed. Coping with chronic pain affects nearly every aspect of daily life and increases reliance on family caregivers for help with decision-making, symptom management and daily activities. This need is especially urgent across the Deep South, where under-resourced populations experience higher rates of caregiver burnout and caregiver strain.
Gazaway and Wells bring complementary expertise in community-based research and clinical trial design. Their work reflects the School’s leadership in advancing nursing-driven solutions that address disparities in serious illness care.
The Rita and Alex Hillman Foundation supports bold, nursing-driven interventions that improve the health and health care for all. The 2025 Hillman Emergency Innovations: Serious Illness and End of Life pilot program is presented in partnership with The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations and supports the development of pre-evidence interventions that seek to improve the serious illness and end of life care of marginalized populations.