Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas – Now set to represent South Texas College and similar institutions on a national scale for best practices in nursing education, Dr. Jayson Valerio, dean of STC Nursing and Allied Health (NAH), says he looks forward to important work that will impact the health of communities for years to come.
Valerio has been named Southwest Regional Board Director for the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN), a leading advocate for over 1,500 associate degree nursing programs nationwide and registered professional nursing practices.
The organization is at the forefront of charting the future of healthcare education and delivery.
More than 50 percent of all nurses in the country currently possess an ADN according to Valerio, who will now advocate for OADN programs in Texas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and international members from South America.
“It is big exposure for South Texas College and this is something I considered when I took the position.” Valerio said. “STC is at the forefront of all the issues surrounding ADN across the country.”
Valerio holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Nursing Education Leadership from American Sentinel University. He has a Master of Arts in Nursing from Angeles University Foundation, and Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of the Assumption.
Starting at South Texas College in 2000 as faculty for the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program, Dr. Valerio was named program chair in June 2011. Today he oversees 12 different nursing and allied health care programs across three campuses.
“The OADN Board of Directors is honored for Dr. Jayson Valerio to be appointed as the Southwest Regional Director for the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN),” said Donna Meyer, Organization for Associate Degree Nursing Chief Executive Officer. “Dr. Valerio’s leadership and expertise in associate degree nursing education will continue to assist in advancing this important pathway for the nursing profession. Dr. Valerio’s leadership style of advocacy, inclusivity, and a collaborative spirit are exceptional characteristics that will assist in supporting the mission and vision of OADN.”
Valerio has over 20 years of experience as a registered nurse in the field of medical-surgical nursing and nursing education.
Along with his recent naming to OADN, Valerio serves as the South Texas state representative for Texas Team Coalition Academic Progression in Nursing (APIN), Texas Nurses’ Association, Texas Society of Allied Health Professions, Texas Deans and Directors of Professional Nursing Programs, International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation & Learning, Advisory Panel for the University of Texas Center for Excellence in Aging Services and Long Term Care and Advisory Board of the Philippine Nurses Association of South Texas-Rio Grande Valley Chapter.
“I will do my best to represent not only the community but the associate degree nursing programs in the states I have been tasked with serving,” he said. “I would like to ensure that our collective voice is heard, and that we continue to deliver great opportunities not only for our nursing students but for our nursing educators and leaders who govern all the associate degree nursing programs across the country.”
