KHI NEWS SERVICE

July 31, 2008



TOPEKA Gov. Kathleen Sebelius has appointed two persons to the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

Serena Stutzman, a nurse practitioner at Take Care Health Systems in Overland Park, was named to a four-year term. She has a master"s degree in nursing from the University of Kansas.

Mary Carol Pomatto, Pittsburg, is a professor and chair of Pittsburg State University"s Department of Nursing. She previously served as the assistant to the president and legislative liaison at Pittsburg State University. Pomatto received her doctorate from Oklahoma State University. She also has been appointed to a four-year term.

The Kansas State Board of Nursing oversees the education, licensing and practice of more than 40,000 registered and licensed nurses. The board has 11 members, including six registered nurses.

"Nurses are critical to quality patient care," Sebelius said in a prepared statement. "We count on nurses in our doctors" offices, hospitals and to instruct future nurses. The work of this board impacts every corner of the state and I appreciate their efforts on behalf of the people of Kansas."