Kristen Sethares is a Professor Nursing at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Dr. Sethares’ research on heart failure symptom science is centered on symptom clusters, care-seeking delay and self-care. She recognized that early symptoms of heart failure decompensation are non-specific to the illness. As a result, patients often miss opportunities to seek timely care. Assessing heart failure symptoms as clusters make them more meaningful. To support this change in symptom appraisal, she contributed data to a seminal analysis on heart failure symptom clusters with several subsequent papers and presentations, cited in 19 countries. Her work has been cited in scientific statements and guidelines from the American Heart Association demonstrating its importance. She extends her impact to improve health equity by addressing her community’s vulnerability related to low health literacy and other sociocultural factors of risk for poorer health outcomes. Her currently funded research promotes health of dyads with hypertension. In a population with low income and educational levels, a supportive communication intervention improved self-care and relationship quality. Dr. Sethares received her BSN from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, her MSN from the University of Massachusetts Boston and her PhD from Boston College.