Dr. Roberta Watts
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA – Dr. Roberta Watts, Faith Chapel Christian Center’s President/CEO of The Bethesda Life Center and the first African American to serve as Nursing Dean at a majority public university in Alabama, will be inducted into the 2009 Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame on October 15, 2009 at 7:00 pm. The black-tie induction dinner and ceremony will be held at the North River Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Board of Visitors of the Capstone College of Nursing at The University of Alabama established the Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame in 2001 to honor nurses and others who, through their work and accomplishments, have brought honor and fame to the profession of nursing and the state of Alabama.
Other 2009 inductees are Dr. James L. Raper, the first nurse to be named Director of a UAB clinic, Dr. Sharon Farley, accomplished nurse educator, administrator, leader and patient advocate, Mrs. Lillian Maria Laggan, dedicated leader and champion for the nursing profession, Dr. Margaret Israel Willsap, a nursing pioneer in Alabama, and Dr. Jeanette Latham VanderMeer who has exemplified a lifetime commitment to improving the condition of rural Alabamians.
About Dr. Roberta Watts
Roberta Watts discovered her passion for helping others early in life when at age five she helped her mother with a dental emergency. Her belief that service to others was her divine destiny stayed with her through her time as a staff nurse, educator, leader, public servant, and entrepreneur. The first African American to serve as nursing dean at a majority public university in the State of Alabama, Dr. Watts served as Dean of Jacksonville State University’s Lurleen B. Wallace College of Nursing for over 20 years. Nationally known for her work in the evaluation and advancement of nursing education programs, Dr. Watts served two terms on the Board of Review of the National League for Nursing. Dr. Watts Gubernatorial appointments have included Chair, Alabama Foster Care Advisory Committee; Vice Chair, Alabama State Board of Human Resources; and most recently, Commissioner, Alabama Commission on Higher Education. Dr. Watts had a vision resulting in implementation of the first nursing clinic in an Alabama collegiate school of nursing and established community health centers focused on eliminating health disparities in North Alabama. The Roberta O. Watts Medical Center in Gadsden, Alabama bears her name in recognition of her commitment to improve the quality of life for residents of her community. Her service on the Gadsden City Board of Education stimulated support for improving inner city schools. During her tenure as President of the Alabama League for Nursing, Dr. Watts established the Lamp Lighter Award to recognize significant professional contributions by Alabama nurses. Dr. Watts continues to serve her community through her business, Enrestoration, Inc., a community based program offering support to individuals with intellectual disabilities. In addition, Dr. Watts is President and CEO of the Bethesda Life Center, and Chancellor and Founder of the Excel Institute for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Dr. Roberta Watts continues her journey believing there is more that can be done and she is called to do it.
About The Alabama Nursing Hall of Fame (http://nursing.ua.edu/
About Faith Chapel Christian Center (www.faithchapel.net)
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
