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Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders Hosted by: AONE 35th Annual Meeting & Exposition |
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Speaker Biography:
Dr. M. Joycelyn Elders is a former U.S. Surgeon General and was the first African American woman to hold that post. She has since resigned from federal office to continue her professional career in pediatrics at the University of Arkansas School of Medicine, where she had previously been a professor and received her board certification as a pediatric endocrinologist. She also served as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Health. Dr. Elders has been active in civic affairs as a member of the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, Northside YMCA, and Youth Homes and was listed in 100 Outstanding Women in Arkansas, Personalities of the South, and Distinguished Women in America. She has received numerous awards recognizing her for service to health care both locally and nationally, including the Arkansas Democrat's Woman of the Year Award, the National Governor's Association Distinguished Service Award, the American Medical Association's Dr. Nathan Davis Award, and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women's Candace Award for Health Science.
Presentation Summary:
Dr. Elder's talk, entitled "The Challenges of Meeting Healthcare Needs in the New Millennium," highlighted the Decade of Behavior themes of "health" (healthcare) and "safety" (patient safety). A consistent topic that has emerged in AONE's work with its members is finding creative solutions to the nursing workforce shortage and identifying the role of the nurse executive in re-defining and re-designing the workforce of the future. Given the theme of the meeting, "Lights, Camera.Partners in Action," Dr. Elders shared her vision to "set the stage" for continuing the conversations that need to occur regarding the future of the healthcare workforce. Dr. Elders also included her insight into the topic of patient safety and how the restructuring of nurses' work environments can help nurses prevent errors and keep patients safe.