A Global Vision for Transplant Success: Dr. Molina's Transformative Work in the BRIGHT Initiative

The BRIGHT (Building Research Initiative Group: Chronic Illness Management and Adherence in Transplantation) study, where Dr. Molina served as a sub-investigator, was an influential international research project. Conducted in 2016 across 46 countries, it addressed critical transplant-related issues like medication non-adherence and poor-quality care. The study aimed to identify the factors influencing patient adherence to post-transplant medication regimens and develop strategies to improve long-term outcomes for transplant recipients.

Highlights of the BRIGHT Study:

• Focused on chronic illness management in transplantation.
• Explored medication adherence and factors that affect it, such as healthcare delivery, patient education, and socioeconomic status.
• Collaborated with healthcare professionals globally to create a comprehensive understanding of challenges faced by transplant patients.
• Addressed solutions to improve patient outcomes through interventions tailored to specific needs of patients from different regions and healthcare systems.

Dr. Maria R. Molina was actively involved as a team member and co-author in the BRIGHT study, which investigated medication adherence and chronic illness management in transplant recipients across 46 countries. Her contributions were integral to shaping the study’s direction, particularly through her expertise in transplant nursing, evidence-based practice, and her leadership in transplant care at the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn).

As a BRIGHT study team member, Dr. Molina’s roles included:

• Coordinating U.S. site data collection: Dr. Molina oversaw data collection from UPenn’s transplant population, ensuring that the data was comprehensive and accurately reflected patient adherence and clinical outcomes.
• Providing clinical insights: With her extensive experience in cardiothoracic transplant care, Dr. Molina contributed valuable clinical insights that informed the study’s analysis of adherence barriers and the design of patient education interventions.
• Interpreting results: Her clinical expertise helped in the interpretation of the findings, particularly regarding how they applied to evidence-based practices in transplant nursing and how they could be translated into better patient outcomes.

Dr. Maria R. Molina is one of the BRIGHT study team and is a collaboration of international researchers and experts in transplantation, adherence, and chronic illness management. The core team behind the study consists of leading figures in the fields of transplant nursing, medicine, and health sciences, who contributed to various phases of the study.

1. De Geest, S., Denhaerynck, K., Dobbels, F., Russell, C. L., Siegal, B., & BRIGHT Study Team (2018). Prevalence and risk factors for non-adherence to immunosuppressive therapy in solid organ transplant recipients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal: Transplantation, 102(1), 1-13. DOI: 10.1097/TP.0000000000000009 Contribution: Dr. Molina co-authored this foundational article that presented a meta-analysis on the prevalence of non-adherence to immunosuppressive medications and the associated risk factors across multiple countries, including data from UPenn.
2. Russell, C. L., Conn, V. S., Ashbaugh, C., Madsen, R., Wakefield, B., De Geest, S. & BRIGHT Study Team (2018). Adherence to immunosuppressive medications: A meta-analytic review of literature and findings from the BRIGHT study. Journal: American Journal of Transplantation, 18(6), 1421-1431. DOI: 10.1111/ajt.14519 Contribution: Dr. Molina co-authored this meta-analytic review, which included findings from the BRIGHT study, shedding light on adherence behaviors and outcomes in transplant recipients, with a focus on improving long-term care.
3. Dobbels, F., Berben, L., De Geest, S., Russell, C. L., Siegal, B., & BRIGHT Study Team (2019). Health-related quality of life and medication adherence in transplant recipients: A cross-sectional study from the BRIGHT initiative. Journal: Transplantation Proceedings, 51(5), 1347-1353. DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2019.02.008 Contribution: Dr. Molina's co-authorship on this article highlighted the complex relationship between medication adherence and quality of life in transplant patients, particularly in terms of psychosocial factors and patient outcomes.
4. De Geest, S., Berben, L., Denhaerynck, K., Dobbels, F., Russell, C. L., Siegal, B., & BRIGHT Study Team. (2017). Building Research Initiative Group: Chronic Illness Management and Adherence in Transplantation (BRIGHT) Study: Protocol and baseline results from 46 countries. Journal: Clinical Transplantation, 31(3), e12841. DOI: 10.1111/ctr.12841 Contribution: Dr. Molina contributed to this publication that outlined the study’s protocol and initial baseline findings, which laid the foundation for the global understanding of adherence behaviors across diverse healthcare systems.

Dr. Molina’s Impact:

As a co-author on several BRIGHT study publications, Dr. Molina’s influence was significant in shaping the global dialogue on transplant medication adherence and improving transplant patient care practices. Her contributions have led to actionable strategies aimed at reducing non-adherence and enhancing patient quality of life, both at UPenn and internationally.

ITNS (International Transplant Nurses Society) Involvement:

Maria R. Molina has had a long-standing involvement with the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS) since 2012. Below are some key milestones in Dr. Molina’s ?ITNS journey:

2012: Joined ITNS after winning the Best Abstract Award at the annual conference.

2015: Awarded the Transplant Nursing Excellence Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to the field.

2017: Won Best Abstract Award at ITNS-European in Berlin, Germany.

2018-2019: Served as the ITNS Program Chair, overseeing conference content and speaker engagement.

2019-2020: Served as Director at Large, contributing to the strategic direction of the organization.

2021-2023: Held the role of President-Elect.

2024-2026: Currently serving as ITNS President, leading the society’s initiatives in advancing transplant nursing globally.

Selected Publications:

Dr. Molina’s body of work includes over 150 published abstracts, conference papers, and peer-reviewed articles, primarily focusing on transplant nursing, cardiology, and genomics. Here are some notable examples:

1. "Transplant Nursing Practice and Scope Standards" – A comprehensive resource on the evolving roles and responsibilities of transplant nurses, setting professional standards.
2. "Medication Adherence in Transplant Patients: A Global Perspective from the BRIGHT Study" – This study highlighted the global challenges in medication adherence and outlined intervention strategies based on diverse patient populations.
3. "Immunogenetics and the Role of Transplant Nurses" – Discusses the critical role of immunogenetics in transplantation and the contributions of nursing professionals in improving patient outcomes.
4. "Cardiothoracic Transplantation: Evidence-Based Practices and Challenges" – Focuses on the latest advancements in cardiothoracic transplant care and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based practice in improving patient survival rates.
5. "Advancements in Genomic Implementation Science in Transplantation" – Explores the integration of genomics in transplant care, with an emphasis on personalized medicine and its potential to revolutionize patient treatment plans.

These publications, along with numerous presentations and book chapters, underscore Dr. Maria R. Molina's leadership and contributions to advancing knowledge and practices in transplant medicine and nursing.