Governor appoints PSU's Pomatto to state nursing board

Dr. Mary Carol G. Pomatto, chairwoman of the Department of Nursing at Pittsburg State University, has been appointed by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to serve on the Kansas State Board of Nursing.

Pomatto’s appointment to the eleven-member board began July 1.

The board, whose mission is “to assure the citizens of Kansas safe and competent practice by nurses and mental health technicians,” is responsible for establishing and implementing minimum standards for safe nursing and mental health practice. The board also approves education programs, regulates licensure, and considers current and future trends in nursing/mental health technician education and practice. Last year, the KSBN regulated licensure for more than 50,000 health care professionals.

“It’s an honor to be appointed to serve in this capacity,” Pomatto said. “I will do my best to serve well the nursing and healthcare professions and the people of Kansas as our state faces the challenges of the coming four years.”

Dr. Pomatto earned a bachelor of nursing degree from PSU, a master of science in nursing degree from Texas Woman’s University, and a doctorate in education degree from Oklahoma State University. She is licensed as a registered nurse and as an advanced registered nurse practitioner clinical nurse specialist (ARNP-CNS) in Kansas.

Pomatto has worked as a staff nurse, educator, consultant, university legislative liaison, and administrator. She has played an active role in professional and service activities, serving in leadership roles with the Sunflower Foundation: Healthcare for Kansans; Kansas Health Policy Authority; Via Christi Health System: Cornerstone; Labette Community College Nursing Department Advisory Committee; Kansas State Nurses Association; Kansas Organization of Nursing Leaders; and the Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Government Review Committee, among others.

Pomatto and her husband are lifelong residents of Crawford County. Their daughter works as a family law attorney in Johnson County, Kan.

---Pitt State---