April 23, 2008

Patricia Patrician.

 
• More than 25 years military service

• Progressive military leadership

• Nationally recognized nursing practice expert

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - U.S. Army Col. Patricia A. Patrician, Ph.D., R.N., chief of the Department of Nursing Science at the Academy of Health Sciences in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, has been named the first holder of the Donna Brown Banton Endowed Professorship in Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing. The appointment is effective Aug. 1.

Patrician, who also is an adjunct assistant professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md., is nationally recognized for her research in nursing practice and outcomes, improving the nursing workforce environment, leadership and education. Her scholarly work is credited with advancing the knowledge of nursing outcomes leading to the improved quality of care for patients and better job satisfaction for nurses.

"Dr. Patrician will serve this endowed professorship with distinction," said Doreen Harper, Ph.D., dean of the UAB School of Nursing. "The Banton Endowed Professorship was created to focus on the importance of nursing education to quality patient care. Dr. Patrician represents the finest qualities of a leader in the fields of nursing practice and outcomes research, improving patient care by transforming nursing workforce environments and education. She is exceptionally qualified to fill this endowed professorship and a position as associate professor within the Department of Community Health Systems and Outcomes."

Patrician has an exemplary record of progressive military and academic leadership experiences. Prior to becoming chief of the Department of Nursing Science at the Academy of Health Sciences, she was chief of nursing research at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and Chief, Nursing Education Branch, Department of Health Education and Training, Academy of Health Sciences. She also practiced in a number of military hospitals, including Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Ga., Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, Fort Campbell, Ky., and Kenner Army Community Hospital, Fort Lee, Va.

She has earned numerous decorations and awards throughout her distinguished nursing and military service, including several achievement and meritorious service medals, the Nursing Excellence Award at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, the nationally awarded Anita Newcomb McGee Army Nurse of the Year and the 9A designator for proficiency in Nursing Research award from the U.S. Army Medical Command in San Antonio, Texas

Patrician, who also is a manuscript reviewer for Nursing Research and the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, earned her bachelor's degree from Wilkes University, her master's in nursing for the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio, her master's in strategic studies from the Army War College and her doctorate in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.