Five Nurses Ready to Get to Work at the NC General Assembly

Healthcare is likely to be one of the most significant issues facing legislators as they return to Jones Street for the 2023 long session, and a record number of nurses who are members of the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) will be helping guide important healthcare policy decisions as members of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA).

With four nurses in the House and one in the Senate, legislators from across the state will have plenty of opportunities to talk with subject matter experts from both sides of the aisle on various bills that impact healthcare.

Nurses and Members of the NC General Assembly

NCNA member Rep. Carla Cunningham, RN, BSN, D-Mecklenburg, is a hospice nurse from Charlotte. She is the longest-serving nurse at the General Assembly, entering her sixth term in the House since she was elected in 2012. She begins 2023 as a Vice Chair of the Health Committee and a member of the Appropriations, Health, and Human Services; Appropriations; Commerce; Energy and Public Utilities; Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House, and Wildlife Resources committees.

NCNA member Sen. Gale Adcock, RN, MSN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, D-Wake, is a family nurse practitioner from Cary. She is the first-ever nurse to serve in the Senate, starting her first term after spending four terms in the House. She has been assigned to the Health Care; Appropriations on Health and Human Services; Commerce and Insurance; and Transportation committees.

NCNA member Rep. Donna White, RN, R-Johnston, is a public health nurse from Clayton. She is in her fourth term in the House, having first been elected in 2014. She is a Chair of the Health and Appropriations, Health and Human Services committees and a member of the Appropriations; Education – Community Colleges; Environment; Families Children and Aging Policy; and Local Government committees.

Rep. Diane Wheatley, RN, R-Cumberland, is a critical care nurse from Linden. She is in her second term in the House, where she will serve as a Chair of the Pensions and Retirement committee, Vice Chair of both the Education – Community Colleges and Education – K-12 committees, and a member of the Health; Appropriations; Appropriations, Education; and Environment committees.

NCNA member Rep. Diamond Staton-Williams, RN, BSN, MHA, CMAC, NE-BC, D-Cabarrus, is a care manager from Harrisburg. She is one of the new faces on Jones Street, having been elected to her first term in November after serving on the Harrisburg Town Council since 2017. She is a member of the Appropriations; Appropriations, Capital; Disaster Recovery and Homeland Security; Environment; Federal Relations and American Indian Affairs; and UNC Board of Governors Nominations committees.

These five nurses bring a wealth of healthcare experience to their respective chambers. NCNA encourages its fellow legislators, constituents, and lobbyists to take advantage of this session’s invaluable knowledge base.

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Renee Hewitt

Editor & Content Strategist at Springer Publishing

Renee is the editor and content strategist for Daily Nurse. When enjoying life unplugged from the digital world, you'll find Renee on a trail taking wildlife photos or birdwatching.