UAMS College of Nursing’s McSweeney Named to National Institutes of Health Council of Councils

By Nate Hinkel

McSweeney will serve a three-year term that began Nov. 1. She is a leading researcher in women’s symptoms of heart disease and is internationally recognized for her contributions to the field of nursing and medical science.

“It’s a great honor to have been invited to serve on this Council alongside some of the most brilliant and respected health professionals in the world,” McSweeney said. “I look forward to contributing any expertise I can share.” McSweeney was nominated for this position by the director of the National Institute of Nursing Research.

The NIH Council of Councils advises the NIH director on research efforts regarding major intertwining NIH priorities and on matters related to the policies and activities of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives. The Council also makes recommendations for supporting research that deals with important areas of emerging scientific opportunities and public health challenges, and gaps in knowledge that would benefit from additional research involving collaboration between two or more institutes or centers.

One of the Council’s major charges is to make recommendations on research proposals that would potentially be funded through the NIH director’s Common Fund that is used to support trans-NIH research.