Statewide Health Care Coalition Elects Officers; Set to Pre-file Comprehensive Reform Legislation
December 8, 2014
COLUMBIA, SC – The Coalition for Access to Health Care (CAHC) works “to ensure that patients have access to the quality, licensed health care professionals of their choice.” The Coalition’s Executive Board recently elected new officers for the upcoming year.
- Judith M. Zink, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, PNP-BC, of Greenville, will be returning as Chairman for her second term.
- Dr. Stephanie Burgess, PhD, APRN, BC, of Columbia, was elected Vice Chairman after previously serving as a representative for the South Carolina Nurses Association.
- Dr. Sheryl Mitchell, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, also of Columbia, was reelected into the Treasurer position.
- Ashley Hunter, with McKay Public Affairs Executive Director and Media Spokesperson or the Coalition.
“Nurses play a key role in providing access to healthcare, with the National Coalition launching efforts to place over 10,000 nurses on Governing Boards by 2020. Our Coalition of CNMs, NPs, and CNSs have worked diligently for the past year to craft a comprehensive reform bill that will have a lasting impact on the patients we provide care for. Our Coalition continues to grow and will continue to work with hospitals, health care professionals, community leaders, business organizations and various government entities to provide South Carolinians with quality, safe and efficient health care,” stated newly reelected Chairman, Judy Zink.
In the last four years, numerous studies and reports have demonstrated one key finding: allowing Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) to practice to the fullest extent of their education and training would help to address the strain of physician shortages and to provide greater access to care for the South Carolinians who need it most.
The APRN Reform Bill will be pre-filed by Representative Jenny Horne in the SC House of Representatives on December 11. Thus far, over 100 physicians, agencies, and patients across the state in both urban and rural areas have signed letters of support asking the General Assembly to remove barriers which will increase access and care to South Carolinians by allowing advanced practice nurses to practice to the fullest extent.
