News Releases

Two UMSON Faculty Members Appointed to Maryland Health Care Commissions

July 3, 2019

Faculty contribute expertise to Maryland Health Care Commission and Montgomery County Commission on Health

Baltimore, Md. – Two University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) faculty members have been named to Maryland health care commissions. Margaret Hammersla (left), PhD, CRNP-A, assistant professor and senior director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, has been appointed to the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), while Crystal DeVance-Wilson (right), PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC, assistant professor, has been appointed to the Montgomery County Commission on Health (COH).

Hammersla will work with the MHCC to continue its efforts to modernize the state’s certificate of need program, intended to insure that new health care facilities and services are only developed as needed, supporting the state’s goals under Maryland’s all-payer model. She will also support the MHCC’s efforts to increase the use of data, including expanding the Wear the Cost initiative, which seeks to increase transparency and raise public awareness of health care costs. The MHCC is an independent state regulatory agency that plans for health system needs, promotes informed decision-making, increases accountability, and improves access to care in a rapidly changing health care environment. Appointed by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, Hammersla will serve a four-year term ending Sept. 30, 2022.

DeVance-Wilson will serve on the Montgomery County COH, which advises the county executive and the county council on public health issues, programs, services, and the allocation of public health funding. The commission is also responsible for monitoring and assessing Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (MCDHHS) health priorities. As a commissioner, she will interface and collaborate with the MCDHHS and various county boards and commissions to identify gaps, deficiencies, or duplication of efforts. She was appointed by former Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and will serve a three-year term ending June 30, 2021.

“We congratulate Drs. Hammersla and DeVance-Wilson on their appointments to these significant leadership positions within Maryland’s health care system,” said UMSON Dean Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “Given their extensive clinical expertise, and their experience as doctorally prepared nurse educators and researchers, I am confident that each of them will bring important perspectives to the work of their respective commissions and through this contribute to improving health care for individuals, families, and communities throughout Maryland.”

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The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.