Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Establishes Advisory Council to Develop, Support Program

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Members of the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Advisory Council are, from left, Wynona Bryant-Williams, Brenda Gullett, Asa Hutchinson, Julie Thibodaux, Helena Gadison, Gary Head, Faith Fields and Denise Garner. Not pictured are Durenda Brunner, Heather Ellington, Lynn Donald Carver and Dr. Peter Kohler

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing at the University of Arkansas has established an advisory council that met for the first time March 3. The 12-member council is composed of nurses, educators, business people, and university and community leaders. The members will function as ambassadors for the nursing school, using their experience and insight to develop and support ways of advancing the presence of the nursing school in the state, region and nation.

"The council members are very enthusiastic and willing to do whatever is needed to promote the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing as we continue to prepare professional nurses of the highest quality," said Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, assistant director of the nursing school. "They understand the value of the nursing education we offer."

The council will also aid Nan Smith-Blair, the director of the school, in defining and realizing the school's goals and serve as a link between the community and the nursing school. Members will provide a forum for interaction and communication among stakeholders, community members, organizations, government, education and alumni.

Council members will keep the nursing school abreast of timely trends, changes and developments in health care so that it may more quickly incorporate real world issues into the curriculum. The nursing school is part of the university's College of Education and Health Professions.

Members, who are invited to serve by the dean or the department head, serve two year terms and their appointments may be renewed:

• Durenda Brunner of Fayetteville, health-care consumer

• Helena Gadison of Fayetteville, chief executive officer of EMW Enterprises

• Wynona Bryant-Williams of Little Rock, Arkansas Department of Education, Childhood Nutrition Unit

• Gary Head of Fayetteville, chairman and CEO of White River Bancshares and Signature Bank of Arkansas

• Heather Ellington of Springdale, grant writer and public relations specialist for Mitchell Communications
  

• Denise Garner of Fayetteville, health-care consumer

• Lynn Donald Carver of Springdale, registered nurse

• Brenda Gullett of Fayetteville, former state legislator known for her work on the nursing shortage

• Asa Hutchinson of Rogers, attorney and former U.S. congressman

• Faith Fields of Little Rock, executive director of the Arkansas State Board of Nursing

• Julie Thibodaux of Fayetteville, advance practice nurse and Eleanor Mann School of Nursing alumna

• Dr. Peter Kohler, vice chancellor of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Northwest in Fayetteville