Deborah K. Mayer, PhD, RN, AOCN, FAAN was appointed the UNC School of Nursing Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Professor of Nursing on July 1, 2018.
The Frances Hill Fox Distinguished Professorship in Nursing was established for the School in 1991 by Frances Hill Fox, a physician and daughter of John Sprunt Hill and Annie Watts Hill, philanthropists known for donating The Carolina Inn and Hill Hall, Carolina’s music building, to the University. For 38 years, Dr. Fox served as a member of the UNC School of Nursing Advisory Board and was a charter board member of the UNC School of Nursing Foundation, Inc.
Dr. Fox’s aim in establishing the Professorship was to enable the UNC School of Nursing to recruit or retain a nursing faculty member with a record of outstanding accomplishments as a teacher and scholar who advances the science, education and practice of nursing and who contributes to the international stature and leadership of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing.
To receive an appointment as a named Distinguished Professor, a faculty member must be a full professor who has been nominated by their peers, recommended by their dean, and approved by UNC’s Board of Trustees.
“Surely Dr. Mayer’s significant contributions to the profession, to the practice, science and education of oncology nursing, to the School of Nursing, and to the broader health care community make her well worthy of this high honor,” said Nena Peragallo Montano, dean of the UNC School of Nursing. “We are delighted for this recognition for her and most grateful to have her as a colleague and representative of Carolina Nursing.”