From Awareness to Action: Improving Long COVID Care and Outcomes for all Nebraskans

Judith M. Burnfield, PhD, PT, is the Vice President of Research, Clifton Chair in Physical Therapy and Movement Science, and Director of the Research Institute at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. Dr. Burnfield has served as principal investigator for multiple federal grants and has over 80 peer-reviewed manuscript publications, a book, and numerous book chapters in areas relevant to physical rehabilitation. Dr. Burnfield’s research focuses on improving the functional independence, cardiorespiratory fitness and overall wellbeing of individuals impacted by chronic illnesses and injuries including Long COVID. Currently, she directs Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals’ Post-COVID-19 Model System of Rehabilitation Care. Her collaborative work has generated patented technologies used worldwide in rehabilitation, fitness, and home settings to advance rehabilitation care and outcomes. Dr. Burnfield completed her BS in physical therapy at the State University of New York at Buffalo, her PhD in Biokinesiology at the University of Southern California, and her postdoctoral studies at the Los Amigos Research and Education Institute in California.

Dr. Williams directs the Translational Health Psychology Research Center within the Research Institute at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals. She earned her MA in psychology and a dual PhD in clinical and developmental psychology from the University of Missouri. Dr. Williams completed an APA-accredited pre-doctoral clinical psychology internship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, followed by postdoctoral training in pediatric psychology at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. Williams has held faculty appointments at multiple universities and is an award-winning teacher and researcher in the area of family adaptation to chronic illness and injury. Her current research focuses on psychological co-morbidities in Long COVID, caregiver stress and coping in medical rehabilitation settings, and personality and social processes affecting the health and wellbeing of individuals with physical disabilities and chronic conditions. Clinically, she provides psychological evaluation and treatment for patients in Madonna’s outpatient Post-COVID rehabilitation clinic.

Angela Palmer-Wackerly, PhD specializes in Health Communication and is passionate about collaborating with individuals, families, organizations, and communities to meet their health communication needs. Her research asks the question: How does who we are, the support we give and receive, and the ways we make decisions affect our health experiences and outcomes? Using community-engaged research methods, she seeks to make invisible communication processes visible so that we can promote (mental) health, belongingness, and well-being for all. She directs the HEAL Lab, which works to improve the Health of ourselves, our families, our communities, and our world through Equity, Advocacy, and Listening. She is also the Rural Health Research Leader for the Minority Health Disparities Initiative at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL). Currently, her projects focus on women’s health in mid-life, communication skills training for medical assistants in federally qualified health clinics, and intergenerational (mental) health for migrant populations.

Athena Ramos, PhD, MBA, MS, CPM is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health Promotion at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Public Health in Omaha, Nebraska and is affiliated with the Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health (CS-CASH), the Center for Reducing Health Disparities. Dr. Ramos leads a transdisciplinary research team focused on occupational health and safety within the agrifood system, integration, and community well-being. With nearly 25 years of experience, she has proven ability to envision and implement health and social research and human service programs with culturally diverse populations. Dr. Ramos has a PhD in International Family & Community Studies from Clemson University and two Master’s degrees – one in Business Administration (MBA) and one in Urban Studies (MS) from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She was awarded the Carruth J. Wagner Faculty Prize in Public Health from the UNMC College of Public Health and named a “Science Defender” for her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Maria Elena Villasante, MS serves as the Health Equity Initiatives Coordinator at the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County Health Department in Nebraska. She is a behavioral health professional with expertise in advancing health equity through community-centered strategies, cross-sector partnerships, and data-informed public health initiatives. In her current role, Maria Elena leads efforts to reduce health disparities and improve access to care for historically underserved populations. She coordinates large-scale initiatives, including the Minority Health Initiative, and works closely with community-based organizations, cultural centers, and local leaders to implement culturally and linguistically responsive programs. Her work integrates public health frameworks, behavioral health principles, and equity-driven systems change.

Maria Elena brings a strong background in clinical and educational psychology, with experience spanning public health, higher education, and federal service. Her U.S.-based experience includes serving as a Partnership Specialist with the U.S. Census Bureau, a Family-School Consultant at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Therapist. She is also a skilled facilitator and trainer, holding certifications in Mental Health First Aid, QPR (suicide prevention), WRAP, and WHAM. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Maria Elena is recognized for her ability to engage diverse communities, build trust across systems, and translate complex public health concepts into actionable strategies that improve outcomes at the local level.