Horns named North Carolina Hospital Association's 2016 Meritorious Service Award winner

By Laura Lesley

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Nursing alumna Phyllis N. Horns, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at East Carolina University, has been awarded the North Carolina Hospital Association’s 2016 Meritorious Service Award.

Horns received the award in July at the NCHA Summer Membership Meeting in Pinehurst, North Carolina, where she was recognized for her contributions to advancing excellence in patient care, education, and research.

She has served as Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences at ECU since 2009, a responsibility that includes oversight of the Brody School of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Allied Health Sciences, School of Dental Medicine, William E. Laupus Health Sciences Library, East Carolina Heart Institute, East Carolina Diabetes and Obesity Institute, and the North Carolina Agromedicine Institute. Prior to her appointment, Horns was the longest-serving dean in the history of the ECU College of Nursing, from 1990 to 2009.

Horns is a PhD graduate of the UAB School of Nursing. During her career, she has been president of the Council on Collegiate Education for Nursing, Southeastern Regional Education Board; president and board member of the North Carolina Council of Deans; and treasurer of the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. In 2011, she was honored as the ECU College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni and inducted into the College of Nursing Hall of Fame. She was selected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing in 2001, served on the National League for Nursing board of directors, chaired the NLN Accrediting Commission and chaired the NC Center for Nursing board.

In October 2010, Horns was named one of the UAB School of Nursing’s 60 original Visionary Leaders, nursing pioneers who have left an indelible mark on the profession, and honored at its 60th Anniversary.

Upcoming Events