Leigh Ann Simmons moves from her role as chair-elect to chair of DUSON's Faculty Governance Association, effective August 21.

In her new position as chair, Leigh Ann will plan and convene meetings of the FGA, and FGA Executive Committee, coordinate the annual distinguished teaching award process, collaborate closely with my office regarding faculty affairs, and represent our collective faculty at both internal and Duke University meetings.

Dr. Leigh Ann Simmons is an Associate Professor in the Duke University School of Nursing. She joined DUSON in 2012. In addition to her role teaching in the PhD and DNP programs, she currently serves as the chair of the public policy and advocacy working group for the Duke Center for Applied Genomics and Personalized Medicine. A former Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women’s Health scholar, she has published extensively and presented nationally and internationally in the areas of women’s health disparities, peripartum health behaviors and decision-making, personalized health care, and health care policy. Dr. Simmons has extensive policy experience, having served as a Congressional Fellow on the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). Her current research focuses on innovations in personalized health behavior change interventions to prevent and manage chronic disease among women who experience health disparities due to rural residence, racial/ethnic identity, and socioeconomic status.