Advancing COPD Care: Advocacy, Research and the Future of Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week is a time to recognize the critical role rehabilitation plays in improving the lives of individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This year, Dr. Sarah Miller, the Assistant Dean for the Ph.D. in Nursing Science Program at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC), led a team to Washington, D.C., for IMPACT Lung Health 2025 with The COPD Foundation to meet with legislators to advocate for policy changes to improve COPD treatment nationwide.

Dr. Miller, a recognized leader in COPD research, was joined in D.C. by some of her team, including her PhD mentee Emily Morgan and study coordinator MaryChris Pittman, both of whom play key roles in her NIH-funded research focused on improving COPD care, particularly in rural communities.

Miller shares, "Nurses bring a unique perspective to research- we understand the patient experience and can shape policies for better health outcomes for our patients."

Bridging Research and Policy: Dr. Miller's Work in COPD Care

At MUSC, Dr. Miller leads several research initiatives aimed at expanding access to COPD care through technology, respiratory muscle training and early diagnosis interventions. She is Site PI for MUSC on an R01 with Dr. Roberto Benzo from the Mayo Clinic, a project that seeks to expand access to pulmonary rehabilitation for rural patients through telehealth-based interventions.

"Nurse-led research in COPD is critical," Miller emphasized. "We don't just study the disease, we study how to make treatments accessible to our patients. For example, pulmonary rehabilitation is one of the most effective treatments for COPD, yet the majority of rural patients don't have access to a program."

Dr. Miller works with an interdisciplinary team, collaborating closely with Dr. Charlie Strange from the College of Medicine on several COPD studies.

"Our work brings together nurse scientists, physicians and researchers to design practical, patient-centered solutions. And the research is clear- access to pulmonary rehabilitation, early diagnosis and patient education can significantly improve COPD outcomes," Dr. Miller said. "But for these strategies to work, they have to be accessible to patients where they are in ways they can utilize them."

From the ER to Research: A Nurse's Journey into COPD Advocacy

For Emily Morgan, an emergency room nurse and second-year Ph.D. student, IMPACT Lung Health 2025 was a full-circle moment-taking her from direct patient care to the front lines of health policy.

"During the pandemic, I worked as a travel nurse in rural South Carolina and I saw firsthand how the lack of access to health care negatively impacted these communities," Morgan shared. "It made me realize that the impact of my care in the ER-while important-was often falling short because the same preventable chronic diseases were bringing patients back, over and over again."

Morgan sees her Ph.D. research as a way to create systemic change in COPD care. "A Ph.D.-prepared nurse scientist focuses on improving patient outcomes through research and policy, ensuring that all patients-regardless of their geographical location-have access to high-quality health care," she said.

It was this drive that led her to work with Dr. Miller, whose research bridges patient-centered COPD management, telehealth interventions and advocacy for policy change.

"For me, it has always been about the patients," Morgan added. "This opportunity connects health care workers like me with the patients who demand better care for themselves and their communities. Their resilience is inspiring."

Pulmonary Rehabilitation: More Than a Program, A Lifeline

For Study Coordinator MaryChris Pittman, who works directly with COPD patients, the lack of access to pulmonary rehabilitation is a major barrier that she sees every day.

"Pulmonary rehab is known to improve quality of life and keep people healthier long-term, yet so many patients can't access it," Pittman said. "With telehealth becoming so common post-COVID, I was shocked to learn that telehealth PR isn't fully covered by Medicare. That has to change."

Virtual pulmonary rehabilitation, a key focus of the COPD Foundation at IMPACT Lung Health, has the potential to reshape COPD management by making rehab and widely available.

Advocacy in Action: The Power of Patient Stories

Dr. Miller and her team recognize the importance of the voices of patients in advocacy.

"The data tell us what works, but the patient stories tell us why it matters," she says.

Morgan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the role of patients and caregivers in meaningful policy change, "It's patients and caregivers who provide the heart. Sharing personal stories about the challenges of living with COPD raises awareness and motivates action within health care systems."

Pittman reflected on the power of collaboration between researchers, patients and policymakers.

"Coming together from different perspectives was incredibly impactful," Pittman said. "As researchers, we see the data, but hearing directly from patients about what they need reinforced how important this work is."

For Morgan, the experience of watching Dr. Miller lead these conversations was a defining moment.

"Seeing Dr. Miller in action-leading discussions with legislators, sharing her expertise and pushing for better COPD policies-was incredibly inspiring," Morgan said. "I left D.C. more determined than ever to keep working toward solutions that make a real difference for patients."

"Having treatments available is very different than having treatments that are accessible," Pittman emphasized. "That's what virtual pulmonary rehab does-it allows for accessibility."

Morgan agreed, pointing out the widening gap between health care policies and patient needs.

"Right now, our health care policies don't align with our goals as providers," Morgan said. "We know pulmonary rehab works, but without equal Medicare coverage for telehealth-based PR, we're cutting off the progress we made during the pandemic. The presence of these programs isn't enough-it's the ability of our patients to engage in them that will improve the health of our communities."

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action for COPD Care

As Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week shines a spotlight on the importance of rehabilitation programs, Dr. Miller and her team remain committed to ensuring that every COPD patient-regardless of where they live-has access to the care they need.

Dr. Miller, ever the advocate, shares "We have the science, the technology and the data to make COPD care better," she said. "Now we just need the policies to support it."

For more information on COPD research and advocacy, visit the COPD Foundation or explore the latest studies at MUSC's College of Nursing.