Horns honored by alma mater

Dr. Phyllis Horns

GREENVILLE, N.C.   —   Dr. Phyllis N. Horns, vice chancellor for health sciences at East Carolina University, was one of 60 alumni the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Nursing recently honored as a visionary leader at the school’s 60th anniversary celebration.

Horns was recognized Oct. 22 in Birmingham. She received her doctorate in nursing in 1980 from UAB and was a faculty member there from 1979 to 1988. She also has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from ECU and a master’s of public health degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

“Alumni from the UAB School of Nursing have been integral in distinguishing the school in state, national and international circles and in shaping the nursing profession,” said Dr. Doreen Harper, dean of the school. “These awards were established to celebrate the school’s renowned graduates and their mark on nursing.”

Horns joined the ECU nursing faculty in 1988 and was dean of nursing from 1990-2009. From 2006-2008, she served as interim dean of the Brody School of Medicine. From 2001-2002 and 2006-2009, she served as interim vice chancellor for health sciences at ECU. She was appointed to the vice chancellor role permanently in 2009.

“As part of my doctoral work at UAB, I was privileged to study and work in nursing education administration with some very strong faculty and mentors,” Horns said. “This has been the single greatest factor in my career in university administration. I am honored and humbled by this visionary leader award.”

The ECU Division of Health Sciences comprises the Brody School of Medicine, the College of Nursing, the College of Allied Health Sciences, the new School of Dental Medicine, the East Carolina Heart Institute and Laupus Health Sciences Library.