HU Nursing Professor Appointed to the Federal Advisory Committee on Minority Health

Hampton, VA - Dr. Cheryl Killion, research associate professor of nursing and director of Minority Family Health Center at Hampton University, was appointed to serve on the federal Advisory Committee on Minority Health. Health and Human Services’ Secretary Mike Leavitt announced Killion and seven other newly appointed committee members will advise the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on improving the health of racial and ethnic minority groups and on the development of goals and specific program activities for the department’s Office of Minority Health.

“Our goal is to eliminate health disparities and improve health outcomes for all Americans,” said Leavitt. “The expertise this group brings will go a long way toward helping us meet that goal.”

“This is a wonderful opportunity to be on the committee to help set the national agenda that will have an impact on health of ethnic minorities,” said Killion. “My membership provides me with an opportunity to advance a national agenda that will continue to help eliminate health disparities. Good health for ethnic minorities means good health for the entire nation.”

Killion has over 20 years of experience in nursing. Prior to working at HU, Killion received her doctorate in anthropology and worked as a clinician and researcher. She taught at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Michigan. She also served as a research assistant at Charles Drew Postgraduate Medical School. Her extensive experience in minority healthcare makes her an asset to the committee.

“I think much progress has been made, but much still needs to be done to improve health care access, service delivery, health literacy and cultural competence among healthcare providers, and the quality of life issues and circumstances related to racism and discrimination.

For more information, please contact Dr. Cheryl Killion at (757) 727-6254 or via e-mail at cheryl.killion@hamptonu.edu.

Dr. Killon