Kimberly Acquaviva, an assistant professor at the George Washington School of Nursing (SON), has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Region III Health Equity Council.
As a council member, Dr. Acquaviva will work with other health care experts from Washington, D.C., Maryland, West Virginia and Delaware to minimize health disparities amongst minorities.
“I’m both honored and humbled by my appointment to the Region III Health Equity Council, whose vision – ‘a nation free of disparities in health and health care’ – is an ambitious one but one I’m committed to helping achieve,” said Dr. Acquaviva, the director of GW’s National Collaborative on Aging.
With a doctorate in human sexuality, Dr. Acquaviva is an expert on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) aging and end-of-life care. She plans to bring her clinical, scholarly and academic experience to her work on the council.
“I’m so honored to be at the table representing the issues, perspectives and concerns of the LGBT community as well as representing the GW School of Nursing,” said Dr. Acquaviva.
The council is part of the HHS National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities, which created a national strategy for achieving health equity.
“This commitment marks the most visible acknowledgement ever made by the federal government that focused efforts are needed to ensure health equity and reduce health disparities for LGBT individuals,” said Dr. Acquaviva.
The 35-member council will work with communities to implement the National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity by collaborating with local leaders, aligning existing initiatives and programs and leveraging assets.
“Kim is passionate about closing the health disparities gap, extremely well-versed in LGBT health matters and the perfect person to represent GW and the School of Nursing in this capacity,” said Jean Johnson, SON dean. “We are proud of her achievements and know that she will contribute substantially to the work of the council.”
Dr. Acquaviva also recently received GW’s 2011 Bender Teaching Award. GW’s most prestigious teaching award, the Bender Awards recognize undergraduate, graduate and professional teaching.
“The university and the deans of the School of Nursing have always been encouraging and supportive of my work on health disparities and LGBT issues,” said Dr. Acquaviva. “It’s because of GW and that unparalleled support that I’m even at the table to participate in such a groundbreaking initiative.”