Dean Hamilton Attends National Health Science Symposium

Dr. Mary Jane Hamilton, dean of the University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences, was one of 10 nurses from throughout the nation who participated in the Symposium on Health Professions Diversity in Washington, D.C. during the second week in March.

In all, just 40 educators representing successful university programs were invited to the Sullivan Alliance-sponsored conference based on the success of their programs in recruiting and retaining diverse populations. The Alliance was established by Dr. Louis Sullivan, Secretary of Health and Human Services under former president George Bush, to increase diversity in the health professions in order to help reduce racial and ethnic health disparities.

Hamilton, the only nurse educator from Texas invited to the conference, was chosen for the University's exemplary results in student graduation rates. A recent study commissioned by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board found that Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s two-year graduation rate of 79 percent far exceeds the statewide average of 59 percent. In addition, the pass rate for the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses stands at 99 percent and, since 1999, the ethically-diverse student population has increased from 38 percent to 51 percent.