Senator Gale Adcock announced as 2024 commencement speaker

The University of North Carolina School of Nursing is delighted to announce Senator Gale Adcock, MSN ’87, FNP-C, FAANP, FAAN, as the keynote speaker for its Spring 2024 Commencement Ceremony. The ceremony, honoring the hard work and achievements of Carolina Nursing graduates, will be held on May 10th.

Adcock brings a wealth of experience and dedication to the nursing profession. Raised in southwestern Virginia, she understands the value of hard work and education. She holds a nursing diploma from Virginia Baptist Hospital, a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from East Carolina University, and a Master of Science in Nursing from UNC-Chapel Hill. With over three decades of experience as a nurse practitioner, Adcock served as the Chief Health Officer at SAS Institute for more than 26 years before retiring in October 2020.

Adcock’s commitment to service extends beyond her clinical practice. She has held numerous leadership positions within the nursing community, including serving as president of the North Carolina Nurses Association and chair of the North Carolina Center for Nursing. Adcock has also been actively involved in state government, having served in the North Carolina House of Representatives for four terms before joining the state Senate in 2023, becoming the first nurse ever elected to that Chamber.

In addition to her legislative work, Adcock remains committed to education and community involvement. She serves as an adjunct faculty member at several universities, including Duke, UNC Chapel Hill, and East Carolina. Adcock’s dedication to public service and her extensive experience make her an inspiring choice to address the graduating class of Carolina Nursing!