Roddy Harrison, Mayor of Williamsburg, has declared November 12-18, 2017 Nurse Practitioner (NP) Week in recognition of the countless services nurse practitioners provide throughout the state for their communities. Other cities across the nation have supported similar measures to bring visibility to the NP role and to celebrate more than 50 years of NP practice in the United States.

Mayor Harrison met with University of the Cumberlands (UC) nursing faculty and students on November 9 to sign the proclamation. Students were also offered a free electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation and suturing workshop at the gathering.

Thirty-one students are currently enrolled in UC’s new nursing program, which began in spring 2017. Dr. Cailen Wattenbarger Baker, program director, says she is proud of the curriculum Cumberlands is building.

“We believe that the family nurse practitioner program fulfills the University’s mission to produce servant leaders,” Baker said. “We are excited to improve healthcare for patients in the Appalachian region and all across Kentucky. The support of Mayor Harrison, the city of Williamsburg, and all those involved with UC Nursing is very much appreciated.  We are proud to serve the community of Williamsburg.”

Nurse practitioners offer a combination of nursing and health care service to patients. Not only do they focus on diagnosing and managing acute and chronic illnesses, but also integrate health promotion, disease prevention, counseling and patient education to help patients understand their complete health picture. The goal of NPs is to provide high-quality, cost-effective, personalized healthcare by partnering with patients in regard to patients’ health.

UC’s nursing program is growing steadily and admits new students every spring and fall semester.

Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands is an institution of regional distinction offering quality undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and online degree programs. Learn more at ucumberlands.edu.