Inaugural Chair in Nursing Research to Benefit Children

Washington, DC – Pamela Hinds, PhD, RN, FAAN, Director of Nursing Research and Quality Outcomes at Children’s National Health System, was named the first William and Joanne Conway Chair in Nursing Research in a ceremony held on May 6, during National Nurses Week.

The endowed chair recognizes the critical role of nurses, who deliver 90 percent of healthcare in the United States and conduct specialized research that improves treatment and outcomes. The $2.4 million fund will help transform the way care is delivered to children by encouraging nurses to discover new approaches and translate these discoveries into practice.

Hinds’ research focuses on improving children’s lives as they cope with cancer. Specifically, she works to address fatigue and altered sleep during the treatment of pediatric cancers, as well as how to facilitate end-of-life communication and decision-making.

“I am deeply honored, as this chair holds enormous promise for offering even better care for children and their families and informed support of our colleagues from across all disciplines who specialize in pediatrics,” Hinds said. “I believe that the research efforts supported by the William and Joanne Conway Chair in Nursing Research will, without a doubt, contribute to the health of children in our nation and in our world.”  

In addition to the donors for whom the chair is named, the nurses at Children’s National helped make the endowment possible, joining forces to contribute about $300,000. A campaign committee was co-chaired by philanthropist Diana L. Goldberg and Mendel Tuchman, MD, scientific director for the Children’s Research Institute. A Nursing Campaign Committee was co-chaired by Catherine Williams, MS, RN, and Simmy Randhawa, MS, MBA, RN, CPN.

“Quite meaningful to me is the early and ongoing support of the endowed chair by nurses at all points of service here at Children’s National and by our colleagues,” Hinds said. “This support represents the commitment of nurses to generate new knowledge and then use that knowledge to make children’s health better. We will do this in full partnership with children, their families, and all other pediatric care providers.”

Other donors who contributed to the endowment included Morrison Healthcare Food Services; the Children’s Health Board; Nellie Robinson, MS, RN, FAAN; Jim Lintott, chairman of the board for Children’s National; the Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust; Richard W. Snowdon; Suzanne L. Feetham, PhD, RN, FAAN; and Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, David L. Wessel, MD.

Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Linda Talley, MS, BSN, RN, NE-BC, said, “We are most grateful to the donors who made this possible, including our own nurses here at Children’s National. They have shown a deep commitment to fostering a culture in which nurses can grow and flourish while helping children live happy, healthy lives.”

Children’s National is among only 7 percent of hospitals nationwide to achieve the prestigious Magnet designation, the highest level of recognition for nursing excellence. In addition, Children’s National has received the Beacon Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses for three Intensive Care Units, and has been Accredited with Distinction by the American Nurses Credentialing Center Provider Unit.

Contact: Amanda Sobanet at 301-565-8536.