Williams Coleman, DNP, APRN, will participate in leadership retreats and distance-based learning, and will spearhead a health leadership project. The yearlong program is a partnership of Duke University Schools of Medicine and Nursing and Johnson & Johnson.

Williams Coleman serves as the nurse practitioner for UofL Care Partners, a new clinical service at the UofL School of Dentistry that will act as an urgent care-style clinic for patients who need help managing chronic illnesses, including diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Her leadership project will focus on these patients, who risk delaying or foregoing dental treatment when chronic illnesses are uncontrolled.

“Being part of the Duke-Johnson & Johnson program is an honor,” Williams Coleman said. “I will broaden my management and leadership skills in the primary care setting using an integrated care model to provide care to underserved populations.”

Williams Coleman is the third UofL faculty member chosen for the program. Michelle L. Baxter, a faculty member of the Schools of Dentistry and Nursing, is participating in the current cohort of the program. Whitney Nash, School of Nursing associate dean of practice and service, participated three years ago.

During the yearlong program, fellows will learn leadership and management skills to provide more effective and efficient health care services to underserved populations in their community. The program is a partnership of Duke University Schools of Medicine and Nursing and Johnson & Johnson.

Baxter, APRN, AGNP-C, and other 2017-18 fellows will participate in leadership retreats, distance-based learning and a health leadership project.

“I consider this fellowship opportunity a privilege and I am honored,” Baxter said. “I will capitalize on this experience to develop my advanced practice nursing leadership and management skills in order to broaden my interdisciplinary role as nurse practitioner in a university-based dental clinic.”

Baxter’s role as an oral medicine faculty member at UofL involves medical consultation and instruction with dental students and facilitating interprofessional relationships with dental faculty, staff and students.