Key People

National Advisory Committee (NAC)

Carolina G. Huerta, Ed.D., M.S.N., R.N., NAC Chair
Nursing Department Professor and Chair
University of Texas-Pan American

Gaurdia Banister, Ph.D., R.N.
Executive Director, Institute for Patient Care
Massachusetts General Hospital

Catherine Crowley, Ed.D., R.N.
Vice President
Maryland Hospital Association

Daisy Cruz-Richman, Ph.D., R.N.
Dean and Professor, College of Nursing
State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center

Debra J. Danforth, B.S.N., R.N.
Comprehensive Health Operations Director
Oneida Community Health Center

Teri A. Murray, Ph.D., R.N.
Dean, School of Nursing
Saint Louis University

Carmen Portillo, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.
Professor, School of Nursing
University of California-San Francisco

Phyllis W. Sharps, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., F.A.A.N.
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Community Public Health Nursing
Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing

Diane Tsukamaki, M.S.
Director, National Recognition & Scholarship Programs
The College Board

Richard W. Valachovic, D.M.D., M.P.H.
Executive Director
American Dental Education Association

Elias P. Vasquez, Ph.D., N.P., F.A.A.N., F.A.A.N.P.
Associate Dean for Community Affairs and Associate Professor
University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies

Responsible staff members at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation:

Denise Davis, Dr.P.H., M.P.A.
Program Officer

Linda Wright Moore, M.S.
Senior Communications Officer

Lois Shevlin
Grants Administrator

National Program Office (NPO)

Geraldine (Polly) Bednash, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N.
National Program Director

Vernell DeWitty, Ph.D., R.N.
Deputy Program Director

Alexa Tehansky
Program Assistant

Aisha Pittman
Research Assistant