This week, eight legislators and staff visited DUSON to learn about the interrelated missions of nursing education in educating the health care workforce, advancing health care through innovation and research, providing high-quality care, and serving the community. The day was coordinated by Diane Uzarski with the School of Nursing Office of the Dean, and Doug Heron with Duke Office of Government Relations.

In addition, DUSON wanted to enhance the understanding of the key role of nurses and advanced practice nurses as well as educate policy makers on how nursing is critical for population health and access to care. Michael Zychowicz provided an introduction to advanced nursing education and DUSON's unique aspects. Brett Morgan also provided insights on DUSON and advanced nursing education. The legislators and staff also took a tour of the Center for Nursing Discovery led by Margie Molloy and the CRNA Simulation Lab led by Morgan and CRNA students.

Legislators and staff observed a Suturing and Wound Management on-campus intensive course with Anne Derouin.

Meet the Legislators & Staff

Senator Jeff Tarte (R - Mecklenburg)

Senator Tarte’s district includes portions of Mecklenburg County. He is currently serving as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Health Care Committee and is a member of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services (JLOC). Although his professional career is focused on information technology consulting, he has clients in the health information technology sector and a firm grasp of the underlying healthcare challenges facing our state. He is an outspoken critic of Chris Conover’s research, which was never more evident than during Mr. Conover’s most recent testimony to the JLOC this past March during which Senator Tarte grilled Mr. Conover on his research and criticized his methodologies.  

Senator Mike Woodard (D - Durham)

Senator Woodard’s district includes portions of northern and western Durham County, in addition to all of Person and Caswell Counties, which are both characteristically rural and medically underserved. His current committee assignments include health care, information technology, and higher education, among others.  Prior to being elected to office, Sen. Woodard served on the Durham City Council. Sen. Woodard has been a consistent advocate for advanced practice nurses and midwives on scope of practice issues and visited staff in the Duke Birthing Center and Women’s and Children’s services in 2014. As a Duke employee and a Duke graduate (and husband to Sarah Woodard in Duke Medicine Human Resources), Sen. Woodard is consistently available to Duke Medicine leadership. 

Representative Marilyn Avila (R - Wake)

Rep. Avila’s District 40 includes parts of Wake Forest, Brier Creek, and Morrisville in Wake County. She has served as District 40’s representative for four consecutive terms and has made several visits to Duke Medicine, specifically to discuss the state’s NC Health Information Exchange (NC HIE). Rep. Avila serves on several key health care committees, and also serves as Vice Chair of both the House Appropriations and House Health and Human Services (HHS) Committees. In 2014, she was selected to serve as one of six House members on the HHS Subcommittee on Medicaid Reform. 

Representative Josh Dobson (R - Avery, McDowell, Mitchell)

Representative Dobson represents 3 rural counties in the western part of North Carolina. Although only in his second term, Rep. Dobson was appointed Chairman of the House Appropriations Health and Human Services Committee. During his tenure in the legislature, he has proven to be a proponent of all providers with a particular emphasis on helping large health systems manage the many regulatory and legal challenges that seem to surface each year. In recognition of his efforts, Rep. Dobson was invited to serve as the keynote speaker at the North Carolina Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting earlier this year. Rep. Dobson also a member of the House Health Committee and serves as Vice Chairman of the House Education Committee.

Representative Jean Farmer-Butterfield (D - Pitt, Wilson)

Rep. Butterfield is nearing the end of her 7th term in the NC House representing large portions of both Wilson and Pitt Counties. As such, she has a Duke LifePoint hospital in her district. A healthcare consultant when she is not serving in Raleigh, she has a sound understanding of how health systems operate and accompanying challenges. She currently serves as the highest ranking democrat on both the House Appropriations Health and Human Services Committee and House Health Committee. She serves as the Vice Chair for both committees. 

NC House Staff: Andy Munn

In his capacity as Senior Policy Advisor to the Speaker of the House, Andy helps set and enact the policy agenda for the House Republican Caucus. He is a personal advisor to Speaker Moore. Recently, due to an unexpected departure in the House leadership staff, Andy also assumed the role as House Health Policy Advisor which means he was the lead staff member for interpreting and managing health legislation during the 2016 session and served as the principal point of contact for all health-related issues for the Speaker and his leadership team.  

NC Congressional Delegation Staff: Annette Taylor

She is Director of Community Engagement for U.S. Rep. G. K. Butterfield of North Carolina.  As a member of Butterfield’s First Congressional District team, Taylor directs outreach in 24 counties, including Durham.  Her work focuses on building key relationships, engaging constituent groups, and leading special initiatives. Taylor’s background includes more than 20 years in nonprofit management and philanthropy, directing resources to organizations across North Carolina, primarily in rural communities. Before being selected to manage the congressman’s Durham office, Taylor led the NC Center for Women in Public Service, helping prepare women for elected office and leadership positions on boards and commissions.  In addition to fostering collaborative relationships, Taylor enjoys training, coaching and mentoring individuals to reach their full potential. Her career has always involved community service and civic engagement. She is a champion for women and is passionate about giving back.  Taylor is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has served on several boards, including Inter-Faith Food Shuttle, the Volunteer Center of Durham and the United Way’s Regional Task Force. She is currently a member of the Board of Visitors for the NCCU Business School. Taylor has a bachelor’s degree from NCCU, her Master of Science degree in Leadership from Pfeiffer University and is a 2016 Graduate of the Rural Economic Development Institute of the NC Rural Center.

NC Congressional Delegation Staff: Tracy Lovett

She serves as District Liaison for U.S. Congressman David Price (NC-04), a position she has held since January 1999.  As District Liaison Tracy works with his constituents, business and government leaders, interest groups and non-profits in the fourth district and represents the Congressman in public settings. Prior to working for Congressman Price, Tracy was District Liaison for US Congressman Mel Watt (NC-12) for six years. In addition to her congressional work, Tracy served on several boards including the YMCA of the Triangle, and Lincoln Community Health Center Foundation Board. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She is the proud mother of her daughter Sierra.