News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Angey Saucier Date: 7/20/04   Click on image for publication quality photo WILLIAMS NAMED NEW DIRECTOR OF SOUTHEASTERN’S HEALTH SERVICES      HAMMOND – Vera Williams has been named the new director of Southeastern Louisiana University’s Health Center.       Williams will oversee the Student Health Center, a walk-in clinic on campus for students which provides management of acute episodic illness or injury, routine well visits, immunizations, allergy treatments, and health education and self-care programs. Calling herself a “youth crusader,” Williams has a strong drive for working with young people, focusing foremost on wellness promotion and illness protection.      A nurse of 13 years and graduate of Southeastern and Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Williams holds both a bachelor and master of science in nursing and completed a post-master nurse practitioner program. She is a native of Mandeville, La., and is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and is a Louisiana State Board registered nurse holding an advanced practice license.      Williams said during her tenure at Southeastern, she would like to see the health center expand its patient outreach.      “Currently, the Student Health Center’s focus in on Southeastern students,” said Williams. “I’m hoping in the coming years, we can open our health services to include utilization by the university staff, giving them greater access to healthcare.”      Williams began her nursing career in 1991 as a nurse-technician at Touro Infirmary of New Orleans as she completed her studies at Our Lady of Holy Cross. Upon graduation, she was promoted to a staff nurse on the diabetes management floor, where she provided inpatient nursing care and education to patients in the medical surgical nursing unit. She has served as human resource director and education coordinator for Joellen Smith Convalescent Center in Algiers, La. Here, she was also named interim assistant director of nursing for six months.      For three months, Williams worked as a staff nurse in advanced care nursing for West Jefferson Medical Center in Marrerro, La. She was then employed for five years by First Home Health of Bogalusa as assistant director of nursing and P&S Home Health of Franklinton as director. Before beginning her employment at Southeastern, Williams served in the ranks from case manager to administrator for CHD Meridian Health Care of Bogalusa, La.