Her Story
About Cathy
Cathy A. Maxwell, PhD, FAAN, FNAP, is a nurse researcher, educator, and nationally recognized leader in healthy aging and geroscience. With more than 40 years of experience in nursing, she began her career as a bedside hospital nurse before pursuing advanced academic and research training. She earned her PhD in Nursing Science from Vanderbilt University and currently serves as Professor and the Robert L. and Joyce T. Rice Presidential Endowed Chair in Healthy Aging at the University of Utah College of Nursing. Her work focuses on understanding aging trajectories, frailty, and the lifestyle factors that influence long-term health outcomes in older adults.
Dr. Maxwell’s research is centered on empowering middle-aged and older adults through accessible, science-based education. Recognizing that aging and cellular health are often poorly understood by both healthcare professionals and the general public, she has dedicated her career to translating complex scientific concepts into practical guidance that individuals can apply in their everyday lives. Her work emphasizes the role of mitochondrial fitness, exercise, nutrition, sleep, and mind-body practices in supporting healthy aging and reducing frailty. She has developed several innovative educational interventions, including the AFRESH wellness program, the literacy-friendly booklet Aging: Important Things to Know, and MitoFit, a communication initiative focused on mitochondrial health and chronic disease prevention.
In addition to her academic and research contributions, Dr. Maxwell is actively involved in national leadership and policy initiatives related to aging and healthcare. She serves on the Advisory Board of the American Trauma Society and is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice. Through her policy work, publications, and public education efforts, she advocates for greater awareness of geroscience and proactive aging strategies within clinical practice and the broader community. Driven by compassion, education, and empowerment, Dr. Maxwell continues to advance evidence-based approaches that help individuals better understand the aging process and improve their quality of life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cathy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my years as a clinical bedside nurse, where I witnessed firsthand how quickly older adults could decline after injury, illness, or hospitalization. Those experiences inspired me to better understand aging and dedicate my career to helping people feel empowered through education. I became passionate about translating complex science into practical, understandable information that individuals can apply in their daily lives. Seeing research participants tell me that they finally understand aging in a meaningful way has reinforced my commitment to this work and continues to drive my passion for improving healthy aging outcomes.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have learned through experience that true success and personal growth are deeply connected with the success of those around us. I keep a quote by Robert Ingersoll below my signature-- "We Rise by Lifting Others."
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would encourage young women entering healthcare, nursing, and research to stay curious, remain committed to lifelong learning, and never underestimate the value of their perspective and experience. Some of the most meaningful work comes from recognizing problems that others overlook and finding ways to make knowledge more accessible and empowering for people. It is important to pursue work that genuinely matters to you, remain grounded in evidence-based practice, and remember that even complex scientific concepts can be communicated in ways that inspire and improve lives.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges in my field is that aging is still poorly understood by both healthcare professionals and the general public. There is often a disconnect between scientific knowledge about aging and practical understanding of how lifestyle decisions influence long-term health outcomes. At the same time, this creates an enormous opportunity to improve geroscience literacy and empower people with accessible, science-based education. By helping individuals understand how exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress management, and other lifestyle factors affect cellular aging and mitochondrial health, we can reduce frailty, improve quality of life, and support healthier aging across populations.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are education, empowerment, compassion, and clarity in communication. I believe people deserve to understand what is happening in their bodies in a way that is accessible and actionable. My work is centered on helping individuals feel informed rather than overwhelmed, and empowered rather than discouraged. I also value evidence-based practice and practical interventions that people can realistically incorporate into their lives to support healthier aging and overall well-being.
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