By Lynn Schultz-Writsel
Nurse researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing are briefing legislators, meeting with policy makers, and impacting decisions on Capitol Hill.
Associate Professor Nancy Glass, PhD, MPH, RN, brought her perspective as a nurse clinician, researcher, educator, and cross-discipline bridge builder to a “Science in the Service of the Nation” forum held recently at the National Press Club. The forum, sponsored by Research!America (R!A), focused on America’s global image, economy, and health. Glass, a R!A Global Ambassador and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health, participated in the America’s Global Image panel with other U.S. global health experts.
Dean Martha N. Hill, PhD, RN, FAAN joined Glass at the forum and also met with health care research leaders from throughout the nation at the Annual Meeting of Research!America. As Vice-Chair elect of R!A, Hill and her fellow officers and Board members use this alliance for discoveries in health to advocate for medical and health research funding and public awareness of the benefits of such research.
On the same day as the R!A forum, members of Congress had yet another opportunity to meet a Hopkins Nurse. Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chair of the JHUSON Department of Community and Public Health, was an invited presenter at a Capitol Hill Democratic Women’s Working Group roundtable. Hosted by Speaker Pelosi, the roundtable discussed accomplishments of the 111th Congress on behalf of women. Sharps and women economists, business leaders, and advocates shared observations and real-life anecdotes concerning the impact of today’s economy and how specific benefits in the Congressional recovery legislation will aid women and their families.
According to Dean Hill, “Hopkins Nurses are doing a new take on the Mr. Smith Goes to Washington story. Our research, global health advocacy and community public health nursing are being recognized as a model and allowing us to influence the health care decisions and policy-making both nationally and globally.”