Published: 08-25-08
LUBBOCK – First Lady Anita Perry today touted the importance of quality nursing education at a ceremony announcing the naming of the Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC).
“I am deeply humbled by this great honor. The years I spent as a nurse were among the most challenging and rewarding of my life. Today nursing continues to be a passion of mine as I work to raise awareness of important public health issues facing our state and nation including the critical nursing shortage” Mrs. Perry said.
“It brings me great pride to know that future generations of nurses who graduate from this school will answer this call to service and have the opportunity to make a difference in their communities and our great state.”
Inspired by her father’s life service as a family physician Mrs. Perry spent 17 years working in the health care field and has maintained a commitment and passion for health care issues as first lady.
Mrs. Perry studied at Texas Tech University before earning her baccalaureate at West Texas State University now West Texas A&M University. She earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and held varied nursing positions in the areas of surgery pediatrics intensive care administration and teaching.
Mrs. Perry continues to prioritize the wellbeing of Texans by promoting vital health care issues encouraging young Texans to aid in the critical nursing shortage and speaking on health concerns that affect Texans of all ages such as heart disease prevention and breast cancer awareness.
“Mrs. Perry is an advocate for the nursing profession as well as improving health care for this state” TTUHSC President John C. Baldwin said. “Our TTUHSC School of Nursing has an exceptional reputation for excellence and now with this new name the Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing the First Lady adds her distinguished presence to this school.”
The school of nursing which graduated 450 students in 2007 has the second highest number of students earning degrees in nursing school in the state. It was ranked as a top school for nursing by U.S. News and World Report between 2003 and 2006.
For more information about the Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing please visit http://www.ttuhsc.edu/son/.
