PAHO/WHO Collaborating Center

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and World Health Organization (WHO) designated the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing a Collaborating Center in Quality and Safety Education in Nursing and Midwifery.

As one of 45 WHO Collaborating Centers worldwide focused on nursing and midwifery, Carolina nursing will develop online nurse leadership and training programs and conduct research to improve health care quality and safety in the American region. The focus aligns with the School’s distinction as the birthplace of the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) International Institute.

Center Directors

Valerie Howard, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN

Dean and Professor

Ashley Leak Bryant, PhD, RN, OCN, FAAN

Senior Associate Dean for Strategy and Global Affairs and Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Term Professor

TERMS OF REFERENCE (2025–2029)

• Support PAHO/WHO efforts to strengthen nursing and midwifery education, collaborative practice, and interprofessional training with a focus on quality and safety.
• Support PAHO/WHO in developing and disseminating best practices and research to strengthen governance of the nursing and midwifery workforce.

WORKPLAN ACTIVITIES (2025–2029)

A-25734 — Technical report on nursing & midwifery education and collaborative practice in Caribbean & Central America
Timeframe: Needs assessment 2026; trainings 2027–2029; final report 2029

1. Assess regional education, licensing, and practice standards
2. Provide technical input on curricula, training sites, simulation, pedagogy, and faculty development
3. Draft publications in multiple languages and publish open access
4. Deliver two annual hands-on capacity-building workshops (2027–2029)
5. Submit final technical report by 2029

A-25735 — Technical support for interprofessional education strengthening
Timeframe: Needs assessment 2026; implementation 2027–2029

1. Conduct regional review of interprofessional education structures
2. Provide input on PAHO/WHO IPE development
3. Publish in peer-reviewed journals (English & Spanish)
4. Develop & disseminate an online report
5. Conduct two IPE hands-on training sessions

A-25736 — Support regulatory framework development for nursing & midwifery
Timeframe: 2027–2028

• Review of nursing school regulatory materials
• Engage regulatory stakeholders across region
• Identify barriers/facilitators to legislative change
• Conduct governance & regulation workshops
• Produce bilingual technical report