Dean of School of Nursing and Health Studies to Address Major Scientific Symposium

Coral Gables, FL.- Nilda Peragallo, DrPH, RN, FAAN, dean of University of Miami’s School of Nursing and Health Studies, has been invited to address a major scientific symposium sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research/National Institutes of Health. Held in conjunction with the 2006 State of the Science Congress, the symposium “Nursing Research: Looking to the Future” celebrates the 20th anniversary of the NINR.

The symposium focuses on emerging health issues and challenges and the opportunities for nursing research to prepare nurses to respond proactively. Dr. Peragallo has been invited to speak on “Expanding Opportunities in Health Disparities Research.” Other distinguished speakers include The Honorable John E. Porter, former U.S. Congressman from the 10th district of Illinois, Roger Bulger, MD, FACP, acting deputy director of the NIH National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN, Director of the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at the University of Pennsylvania and a national leader on nurse staffing and patient safety.

One of the nation’s foremost researchers in HIV/AIDS risk reduction and prevention in Latinas, Dr. Peragallo is recognized internationally for her leadership in the areas of health disparities, cultural competency, and the recruitment and retention of minorities in nursing. A fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, she is immediate past president of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, an officer of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations, and founding editor of Hispanic Healthcare International. In 2006 she was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services to serve on the National Advisory Council to the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. From 2000 to 2004 she was appointed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to serve on the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice.

The symposium will be held at the Natcher Auditorium on the NIH campus in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 2006. Additional information is available on the NINR website at http://ninr.nih.gov/ninr.

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Established in 1948 as South Florida's first collegiate nursing program, the School of Nursing and Health Studies 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 toward the BSN, MSN, and PhD degrees as well as the BS in Health Science degree.

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Media Contact :
Bárbara Gutierrez
bgutierrrez@miami.edu
305-284-5500