Wilkins Elected Triangle ONS President
By: Julie Poucher Harbin, Senior Writer, DCI
Jennifer Wilkins, RN, MSN-HA, NEA-BC, administrative director, Duke Regional Hospital Based Clinics, has been elected president of the North Carolina Triangle Chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society. She will serve a two-year term, which begins this month.
The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a national professional association of more than 35,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care.
As chapter president, Wilkins will oversee chapter operations, serve as a liaison to the national association and support ONS’ mission, vision, values and strategic plans.
The association and its members, as stated on its website, “advocate on behalf of patients and the profession to ensure respect and recognition, access to education, safe working environments, and fair reimbursement” and also advocate for public health policy.
A native of Henderson, North Carolina, Wilkins has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare, including 14 years in oncology nursing and leadership. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing and Healthcare Administration degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The Duke Regional Hospital Based Clinics that she oversees as administrative director include Duke Cancer Center of North Durham, Duke Center for Metabolic and Weight Loss Surgery, Duke Regional Vascular Access, Duke Regional Hospital Spine and Neurosciences, Duke Regional Colorectal Clinic, and the Duke Regional Outpatient Clinic.
“Connecting with professionals to advance nursing practice, advocating for safe practice for both patients and nurses, encouraging nurses to get involved in advancing nursing practice and mentoring student and new graduate nurses is key to advancing healthcare,” said Wilkins. “These are all things that I am passionate about. I am humbled to be given the opportunity to use that passion to contribute to the already amazing work that is done in our Triangle ONS Chapter over the next two years.”