Monday, July 24, 2000

WILMINGTON, NC -- Dr. Virginia Adams, dean of the UNC Wilmington School of Nursing, was appointed to the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice by Donna Shalala, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Adams, appointed to a four-year term, will be one of 25 panelists who will advise the secretary and Congress on issues related to nursing education and practices. Among the issues that the council will focus on are diversity in the nursing workforce and efforts to raise the knowledge and skill-level of nurses.

"I'm honored to be selected to serve on this panel," said Adams. "Recommendations made by this council affect nursing schools nationwide."

Adams said one of the major issues she wants to address is increased funding for a better-trained workforce.

"Nurses who graduate from baccalaureate and graduate programs are better prepared to manage individual and family care," said Adams. "The level of health education and leadership development provided through UNCW's School of Nursing and other institutions nationwide assures patients of quality health care. From the standpoint of patient care and health care consumers, it should be of paramount importance to have the best-educated, best-trained workforce possible."

Adams will attend her first meeting in September which will be a joint session with the Council on Graduate Medical Education.

For more information, contact Dr. Adams at 910/962-7410.