Howard and Khairat appointed to North Carolina Institute of Medicine

A woman with short blonde hair in a light blue blazer and pearl necklace, and a man with short dark hair in a blue suit, white shirt, and red tie, both smiling in professional portraits. — *Dean Val Howard and Professor Saif Khairat*

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) has announced the appointment of eight new members, including two leaders from the UNC School of Nursing: Valerie Howard, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN, dean and professor, and Saif Khairat, PhD, MPH, professor and Beerstecher-Blackwell Distinguished Term Scholar.

The NCIOM, chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1983, informs and shapes health policy by identifying evidence-based strategies to address the state’s most pressing health challenges. Members contribute their expertise to collaborative initiatives aimed at improving population health, health care access and health care quality for North Carolinians.

Howard and Khairat join a distinguished network of more than 150 health leaders—including providers, researchers, educators, policymakers, and public health advocates—working to build consensus around actionable solutions for issues such as the nursing workforce of the future, oral health system transformation and healthy aging.

Dean Howard emphasized the significance of the appointment:

“It is an incredible honor for both Saif and me to join the North Carolina Institute of Medicine. The challenges facing health care in our state require innovative, evidence-based solutions, and I am proud that Carolina Nursing will have a voice in shaping this important work. Together with colleagues across North Carolina, we look forward to advancing strategies that will improve the health and well-being of every community we serve.”

Michelle Ries, president and CEO of the NCIOM, welcomed the new members, noting, “Membership in the NCIOM recognizes both achievement and ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes in our state. We are honored to welcome this new cohort into our growing network of health leaders.”

The full list of 2025 inductees includes:

Tina C. Gordon, MPA, CAE, FACHE – CEO, North Carolina Nurses Association
Janet M. Guthmiller, DDS, PhD – Dean, Adams School of Dentistry, UNC-Chapel Hill
Valerie Howard, EdD, MSN, RN, CNE, ANEF, FAAN – Dean and Professor, UNC School of Nursing; Vice President of Nursing for Academic Affairs, UNC Health
Ashley Jarrett, DNP(c), BSN, RN – Assistant Health Director, Burke County Public Health
Saif Khairat, PhD, MPH – Professor and Beerstecher-Blackwell Distinguished Term Scholar, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing
Earline E. Middleton – Executive Director, Eva Clayton Rural Food Institute
Jack C. Watson II, PhD – Dean, College of Health and Human Services, UNC Wilmington
Cathleen Wheatley, DNP, RN, CENP, FAAN – President, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center

For a full list of all NCIOM members, visit www.nciom.org.

About the North Carolina Institute of Medicine

The North Carolina Institute of Medicine (NCIOM) is an independent nonprofit organization committed to better health for all North Carolinians. Chartered by the North Carolina General Assembly in 1983, the NCIOM provides nonpartisan information and opportunities for consensus-building on health issues that matter most to the state.