CardiovascularPrestigious National Fellowship Awarded To University Of Miami Nurse To Improve Health Care
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 res 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.
Marie Guma-Diaz
University of Miami