In March 2000, Dr. Williams will assume the presidency of AACN to lead the programs and policy initiatives of the association that is the national voice for university and four-year-college programs in nursing -- the nation's largest health care profession. Dr. Williams' term as president-elect began at the conclusion of a special election last month to complete the term of president-elect Kathleen Boyle Bond, who resigned her post as dean and professor of Harris College of Nursing at Texas Christian University effective May 30.

Dr. Williams has been dean at the University of Kentucky since 1984. Previously, she held faculty positions at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and Emory University, including posts as associate professor in the Department of Epidemiology in the School of Public Health at UNC and as professor and director of graduate programs at the Emory University School of Nursing.

"AACN will enter the year 2000 with a new strategic plan and a renewed commitment to enhance the role of baccalaureate- and higher-degree nursing education in achieving the nation's health care goals," Dr. Williams says. "To have been associated with this dynamic organization since 1984 has been a wonderful professional experience; to serve as president-elect is a privilege and honor. I look forward to working with the Association's committed membership and outstanding staff in the years ahead."

Dr. Williams' numerous publications and presentations have focused on the processes and outcomes of primary care, particularly the contributions of nurses to primary care and the use of epidemiologic methods in assessing the impact of primary care programs and public health nursing. She currently is a member of the editorial board of the International Journal of Nursing Studies, has served as a reviewer for a number of professional publications, and was assistant editor for research for AACN's Journal of Professional Nursing.

A former president of the American Academy of Nursing, having served in that role from 1983-1985, Dr. Williams has been a member of several prominent national advisory panels and commissions. Among these are former posts as commissioner on the President's Commission for the Study of Ethical Problems in Medicine and Biomedical and Behavioral Research, appointed by President Jimmy Carter; member of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force of the Department of Health and Human Services; member of the advisory committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Teaching Nursing Home Program; and chair of the American Nurses Association's Commission on Nursing Research.

Dr. Williams was elected to the AACN Board of Directors in 1996. Within the Association, she has chaired the Membership Committee, served as member of the Research Committee and convener for the Nominating Committee, and as member of the doctoral conference subcommittee.

Dr. Williams received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Texas Woman's University and master's degree in public health nursing and doctorate in epidemiology from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing is the national voice for university and four-year-college education programs in nursing. Representing more than 580 member schools of nursing at public and private institutions nationwide, AACN's educational, research, governmental advocacy, data collection, publications, and other programs work to establish quality standards for bachelor's- and graduate-degree nursing education, assist deans and directors to implement those standards, influence the nursing profession to improve health care, and promote public support of baccalaureate and graduate nursing education, research, and practice. Web site: http://www.aacn.nche.edu.

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CONTACT: Robert Rosseter
(202) 463-6930, x231
rrosseter@aacn.nche.edu

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