News Releases

Wiseman and Romano Receive UMB Founder's Week Awards

October 27, 2006

Rebecca Wiseman, PhD, RN, Public Servant of the Year

Baltimore, Md. – Rebecca Wiseman, an assistant professor and director of the Governor's Wellmobile Program at the School of Nursing, is known as someone who can bring the right people together for a common purpose and make things happen.

The Wellmobiles—four, 33-footlong mobile health units—provide primary health care for the uninsured and underinsured throughout Maryland. Under Wiseman's leadership, the Wellmobile Program has increased the number of patients seen daily at each Wellmobile van from three to more than 15—a total of 8,000 patients a year.

“As a nurse, I see access to health care as a right,” she says. “My job is to give our providers as many resources as possible so that they can provide the highest level of care possible.” To that end, Wiseman has developed partnerships with local care providers, including specialists and regional hospitals, to establish a network of care and case management for an ever increasing client load.

And through Wellmobile outreach, patients learn about their eligibility for state or federal health care programs. Under Wiseman's direction, says Gov. Robert Ehrlich, the Wellmobile program helps identify “all the services for which a patient might qualify.” In addition, he says, Wiseman “empowers her staff to be involved in their service to the community,” and she is a “mentor to those she leads.”

Wiseman is also praised by Delegate Kevin Kelly, a member of the Maryland General Assembly from rural Allegany County. “In each region of the state where the four Governor's Wellmobiles are situated, Dr. Wiseman conscientiously works in conjunction with local community officials to provide patient referrals, hospital/lab support, and other essential services to uninsured individuals,” Kelly says.

Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano, PhD, RN, BC, CNAA, FAAN,
SON, '77, '85, '93: Illustrious Alumni 2006

Rear Admiral Carol A. Romano earned her bachelor's (1977), master's (1985) and doctoral (1993) degrees in nursing from the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Since that time, she has become a pioneer in nursing informatics. In 1976, Romano helped design and implement one of the first computerized medical information systems, which provided electronic medical orders and clinical documentation for patients in ambulatory and hospital environments.

She was instrumental in creating the world's first graduate curriculum in nursing informatics for the University of Maryland School of Nursing. Romano advised the World Health Organization on the management of human resources and health information in developing countries.

Selected as chief nurse officer by the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) and named assistant surgeon general, Romano is charged with the leadership and coordination of PHS nursing professional affairs for the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. Romano has received the PHS Meritorious Service Medal, three PHS Outstanding Service Medals, and a Commendation Medal and two PHS Achievement Medals, among many other awards.

In addition to lecturing at the School of Nursing for many years and serving on numerous advisory committees, Romano presently serves on the School's Alumni Association Council