Suellen Breakey, PhD, RN, is Director of the Center for Climate Change and Health Equity and a Distinguished Teaching Associate Professor in the School of Nursing at MGH Institute of Health Professions. She teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice and accelerated BSN programs. Her clinical background includes cardiac surgery, critical care, hospice care, and global health nursing.
For over 10 years, she was a leader with Team Heart, a nonprofit organization that provides RHD screening, cardiac surgical care and follow-up, and patient/provider education in Rwanda.
Her scholarship interests include the impact of climate change on human health and well-being, bioethics, and global health ethics. Dr. Breakey is a co-author of Global Nursing in the 21st Century, which was published in 2015. She co-chaired the National League for Nursing’s 2022 Vision Statement on Climate Change and Health. Dr. Breakey has published widely and presented locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
- BS, Biology, Salem State College
- MSN, Critical Care Specialty, MGH Institute of Health Professions
- PhD, Nursing, William F. Connell School of Nursing, Boston College
Dr. Breakey has published numerous papers - some titles are highlighted below. You can view a complete listing of Dr. Breakey's publications on ResearchGate or in her CV.
Advancing a school of nursing center for climate change, climate justice, and health.
Integrating climate change concepts into nursing curricula.
Addressing climate change through a nursing lens within the framework of the SDGs: A scoping review.
In addition, Dr. Breakey regularly presents at conferences and industry events. Please see her CV for a complete list of presentations.
Climate change, climate justice, and environmental health: The role of the Emergency Department Professional at Consortium of Emergency Department Educators.
10-year clinical experience of humanitarian cardiothoracic surgery: building a platform for ultimate sustainability in a resource limited setting at American Association of Thoracic Surgery Centennial Conference.
Partnerships in Global Cardiac Surgery at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.
Patient education across the continuum of care at 11th Global Forum on Humanitarian Medicine in Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.
