Debra Barksdale, associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing, has been appointed to a new national health-care research panel.
Barksdale, Ph.D., is one of the 19 members of the Board of Governors for the new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. She is the only nurse on the board.
The institute was established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, part of the federal government’s health-care reform legislation signed into law earlier this year. Its role is to carry out research projects to help patients, clinicians, purchasers and policymakers make informed health decisions.
Kristen M. Swanson, Ph.D., nursing school dean and Alumni Distinguished Professor, said Barksdale would bring exceptional experience and expertise to the board. “Nurses play a key role in sustaining life and advancing health,” Swanson said. “It is important that they help shape national research priorities regarding patient care.”
“There are some major needs regarding health and health care in our country, and I hope to be able to make a contribution,” Barksdale said. “I bring my knowledge and skill as a researcher, primary care nurse practitioner, and educator to the board. I will also be an advocate for the disadvantaged, underserved and underrepresented in regard to issues of health and research.”
A researcher, certified nurse practitioner and educator, her research focuses on psychological and physical stress, coping, and cardiovascular health in African-Americans. She is also a research fellow of the UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, president-elect of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculty, a fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and a volunteer family nurse practitioner in a clinic for the homeless.
For more information, see: http://carolinanursingnews.com/2010/09/27/unc-nursing-expert-appointed-to-national-health-panel/
Government Accountability Office announcement: http://www.gao.gov/press/pcori2010sep23.html
Photo of Barksdale: http://uncnews.unc.edu/images/stories/news/health/2010/barksdale-brown_debra.jpg
School of Nursing contact: Nancy Lamontagne, (919) 966-4619, nlamont@email.unc.edu
News Services contact: Patric Lane, (919) 962-8596, patric_lane@unc.edu