CORAL GABLES, FL (July 28, 2009) – A national fellowship program focused on expanding the role of nurses to lead change in the U.S. health care system has been awarded to Elias Provencio-Vasquez, Ph.D., N.P., F.A.A.N., F.A.A.N.P., associate professor at the University of Miami (UM) School of Nursing and Health Studies. He is one of twenty nurses selected nationwide as a 2009 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation® (RWJF) Executive Nurse Fellow.
Now in its 12th year, the fellowship program provides extensive leadership development for nurses in executive roles in public or community health, science and research, corporate health, academia, government or military health service. Fellows in the three-year program remain in their current positions while they receive training, mentoring, and the opportunity to implement innovative health care strategies in their communities.
"Nurses provide a unique perspective in the health care system, understanding both the patient experience and the way policies and procedures affect health outcomes," said Marilyn P. Chow, D.N.Sc., R.N., F.A.A.N., the RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows national program director. "We are thrilled to have Dr. Elias Provencio-Vasquez join the 2009 group of fellows. "The experience will enable him to bring new skills and resources to improve healthcare in the South Florida community."
As part of the fellowship, Dr. Provencio-Vasquez will have an opportunity to design and implement a leadership project to address issues of essential importance to the future of the UM School of Nursing and Health Studies, as well as to the broader health care system.
"I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to explore new solutions that will 'bridge the gap' and build collaboration between academia and service," said Dr. Provencio-Vasquez. "I will create an alliance between the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies and the University of Miami Hospital to design a model that will result in a smoother transition from student to staff nurse, better nurse satisfaction levels, reduce turnover rate and increase retention."
Dr. Provencio-Vasquez holds fellowship status in several prestigious national organizations: United States Public Health Service Primary Care Policy Program; Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Developing Leadership and Reducing Substance Abuse; American Association of Colleges of Nursing Leadership for Academic Nursing Programs; American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and American Academy of Nursing.
The Executive Nurse Fellowship is supported through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and matching funds from the UM School of Nursing and Health Studies.
For more information about the RWJF Executive Nurse Fellows program visit: www.enfp-info.org
About the School of Nursing and Health Studies
Established in 1948 as South Florida's first collegiate nursing program, the School of Nursing and Health Studies at the University of Miami has a distinguished tradition of preparing nurses to provide compassionate, quality care to local, national and international communities. Nursing students at the undergraduate and graduate levels are educated by renowned scholars and exposed to a broad range of clinical experiences and cutting-edge research. In February 2005, the School expanded its program offerings to include the University of Miami's Health Science program and changed its name to the School of Nursing and Health Studies. The expanded curriculum includes programs leading to the BSN, MSN, DNP and PhD degrees as well as the BS in Health Science degree. miami.edu/sonhs
About the University of Miami:
The University of Miami's mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world. miami.edu
About the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful and timely change. For more than 35 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit www.rwjf.org.