American Academy of Nursing Announces Margaret C. Wilmoth as the National Academy of Medicine Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence
SILVER SPRING, MD – Margaret “Peggy” Chamberlain Wilmoth, PhD, MSS, RN, FAAN, has been selected as the 2023-2024 National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence. Supported by the American Academy of Nursing (Academy), the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the American Nurses Foundation (Foundation), the Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence is a year-long immersion experience for an Academy Fellow to leverage their expertise and play a prominent role in health policy at the federal level while engaging in interprofessional collaboration with scholars at NAM.
Operating under a Congressional charter, the National Academy of Medicine, part of the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), is a leading institution that provides evidence-based solutions and offers comprehensive policies to advance public health and address health inequities. Through reports, convenings, and thought leadership, NASEM and NAM advance recommendations on critical health issues, bringing them to the forefront of the public’s attention and policymakers’ agendas. The Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence position provides a crucial nursing perspective to better support the public’s health.
Dr. Wilmoth is a Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing. With an extensive military career, Dr. Wilmoth was the first nurse and woman commanding general of a medical brigade and later promoted to the rank of Major General in the US Army and served as Deputy Surgeon General, US Army Reserve within the Office of the Surgeon General, US Army. In this role she was the first woman and nurse Deputy Surgeon General for the Army Reserve. She also served on the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee appointed by the Secretary of the Army. Her most recent work has been to examine the health and well-being of military children and to improve policies impacting military families.
“I am honored to be selected as the Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence at NAM, as this role will provide an opportunity for me to leverage my military expertise and passion for supporting our military’s families into evidence-based policy proposals,” said Dr. Wilmoth. During her time as the NAM Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence, Dr. Wilmoth will utilize the interprofessional opportunities offered to continue her work with families in Reserve Components in order to improve these families’ health outcomes and lives.
“The Academy’s partnership with NAM, particularly through the work of the Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence, helps to reinforce the Academy’s mission to improve health and advance health equity by impacting policy through scientific collaboration. Selection to this post enables our Fellows to use their nursing lens to chart a course for improved health outcomes through policy. We are thrilled that Dr. Wilmoth has been selected for this prestigious appointment and look forward to the work she will be able to accomplish to improve the lives of our military families,” said Academy President Kenneth R. White, PhD, RN, AGACNP, ACHPN, FACHE, FAAN.
“Congratulations to Dr. Margaret C. Wilmoth for earning her role as this year’s Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence. Each year, I’m proud to say the American Nurses Association partners with NAM to help support this innovative program which elevates nurse leaders into positions and places where they can dramatically improve and influence national health policy. The enduring impact of this is meaningful program on nurses and our profession is evident and will help secure the future of nursing,” said the ANA Enterprise CEO Loressa Cole, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN.
“There needs to be more nurse leaders guiding health care policy in this country, which is why the NAM Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence program is so critical and timely. We are excited that this collaborative opportunity will draw upon Dr. Wilmoth’s expertise to ensure that our military families have the resources they need and deserve,” said Foundation Executive Director Kate Judge.
To learn more about the NAM Distinguished Nurse Scholar-in-Residence program, visit www.aannet.org.
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About the American Academy of Nursing
The American Academy of Nursing serves the public by advancing health policy and practice through the generation, synthesis, and dissemination of nursing knowledge. Academy Fellows are inducted into the organization for their extraordinary contributions to improve health locally and globally. With more than 2,900 Fellows, the Academy represents nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia.
About the American Nurses Association
The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the premier organization representing the interests of the nation's more than 4 million registered nurses. ANA advances the profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellness of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care for all. For more information, visit www.nursingworld.org
About American Nurses Foundation
American Nurses Foundation is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the American Nurses Association (ANA), with the mission to transform the nation’s health through the power of nursing. The Foundation supports research, education, and scholarships, which improve health, wellness, and patient care. For more information visit www.nursingworld.org/foundation