Nursing educators and practitioners from across the country were in Ann Arbor recently to honor U.S. Rep. Carl D. Pursell, R-Plymouth, as a leading congressional advocate for nursing, health care and education.
“Since 1979, when a national coalition of nursing faculty and students worked successfully with his office to spearhead a fight to protect federal funds for nursing education and research, Carl Pursell has been recognized as the congressional spokesman for nursing,” said School of Nursing Dean Rhetaugh G. Dumas.
Among his most significant achievements on nursing’s behalf, Dumas said, are increased funding for biomedical research, special funds for nurse-anesthetist and nurse-midwifery training, and the establishment of the National Center for Nursing Research within the National Institutes for Health.
He has twice been recognized by the American Nurses Association for his outstanding efforts on behalf of nursing.
“As a member of Congress, I have strived to provide nurses with the recognition and support needed to carry out their front-line role in our health care system,” said Pursell, who is not running for reelection after serving the Second Congressional District for 16 years.
During the evening, Pursell presented a $15,000 check to Dumas for the Carl D. Pursell Endowed Fund for Nursing Research. Income from the endowment will be used to support School of Nursing faculty research projects that have special relevance for improving nursing care related to important policy issues.
Also speaking at the event were former U-M nursing school dean Carolyne K. Davis, now an international consultant with Ernst and Young, Inc.; Ada Sue Hinshaw, director of the National Center for Nursing Research; Deborah J. Oakley, professor of nursing; Janet K. Boyd, former dean of Eastern Michigan University’s Department of Nursing Education; Walter L. Harrison, executive director of the Office of University Relations; and Nancy E. Reame, professor of nursing.
