By Laura Gasque
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Assistant Professor Lauren Mays, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC (BSN 2008, MSN 2010, DNP 2018), has been appointed to serve on a national task force workgroup by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. Mays will serve on a Healthy People Curriculum Task Force Clinical Prevention and Population Health Curriculum Framework 5-year Revision Workgroup focusing on evidence-based, health promotion and disease prevention interventions in the clinical setting.
“I am excited about the opportunity to serve at the national level where I can share my expertise in social determinants of health amongst vulnerable populations and contribute to initiatives that promote health and well-being of populations,” Mays said.
The task force is composed of interprofessional faculty from nursing, health professions and public health who are known for their expertise in population health. The work of the task force is used as a national teaching resource that provides a common core of knowledge for clinical health professions about individual and population-oriented prevention and health promotion efforts.
“The mission of the task force is simple—we want to promote health, reduce disease and enhance interprofessional learning experiences,” Mays said. “The opportunity to work with experts across the nation and develop pedagogy that aligns with Healthy People goals allows me to integrate national health objectives into our education, research, and practice—aligning with the UAB School of Nursing’s mission of preparing diverse leaders who excel in practice, scholarship and education in Alabama, nationally and internationally.”
Mays is Co-Coordinator of the Family Nurse Practitioner Specialty Track and serves as the UAB Clinic Director at The WellHouse, where she provides trauma-informed primary care to victims of sex trafficking. Mays’ perspective of trauma-informed care will provide a unique lens to the taskforce—bringing to light the impact experiences of past traumas have on health outcomes. By prioritizing sensitivity, her goal is to shape curriculum initiatives that foster a supportive and empathetic learning environment, contributing to comprehensive and inclusive health education strategies that positively impact population health.
