SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 879
         WHEREAS, Dr. Patricia L. Starck has served The University
  of Texas Health Science Center at Houston as Dean of the School of
  Nursing in an exemplary manner for 25 years; and
         WHEREAS, A native of Georgia, Dean Starck completed her
  associate of science degree in nursing at Georgia Southwestern
  College in Americus, Georgia; she received her bachelor of
  science degree in nursing and her master of science degree in
  nursing from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and received
  her doctor of science degree in nursing from the University of
  Alabama at Birmingham; and
         WHEREAS, Dean Starck has made significant contributions to
  scholarship and research in her field, receiving 14 grant awards
  for her work; she has published 45 articles for journals, has
  published and served as editor on 18 publications, and has
  collaborated on and led 12 clinical research projects and six
  education research projects for instructional distribution; and
         WHEREAS, Under the leadership of this accomplished woman,
  student enrollment in the school of nursing has nearly doubled;
  philanthropic giving has increased more than twenty-fold; the
  number of endowed scholarships has risen from two to 24 and the
  number of endowed chairs from one to 13, and seven research
  endowments have been created; the number of faculty has nearly
  doubled; and
         WHEREAS, Under Dean Starck's guidance, a new award-winning
  195,000-square-foot, eight-floor LEED Gold-Certified green
  building has been constructed to house the school of nursing,
  which formerly occupied three floors of an office building; and
         WHEREAS, Under her leadership, the school of nursing has
  established the Women's Health Care Nursing Program; the Center
  for Nursing Research; the Center on Aging; the Pediatric Nursing
  Practitioner Program; the Neonatal Nursing Program; the Acute
  Care Nursing Program; the Adult Health Nursing Program; the
  Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Education, and Research;
  the Biological Sciences Laboratory; the Nursing Leadership and
  Administration Program; the BSN BAC2 Degree Program, which
  became independent in 2008; the doctor of science in nursing
  degree program; and the first doctor of nursing practice degree
  program in Texas; and
         WHEREAS, Dean Starck established PARTNERS volunteer
  support group, which generously contributes to the school of
  nursing through scholarships, endowed professorships, and
  research funds and encourages, nurtures, and supports nursing
  students in their studies; and
         WHEREAS, The school of nursing graduate degree program has
  been named as among the top five percent of graduate nursing
  programs in the nation in the U.S. News & World Report 2010
  edition of "America's Best Graduate Schools"; and
         WHEREAS, Dean Starck has brought honor to the institution
  and to herself as the recipient of numerous awards and
  distinctions, including the 2005 Health Policy Award; the
  Presidential Award for Distinguished Contributions and Sterling
  Leadership; the XIV Congress on Viktor Frankl's Logotherapy; the
  Griffin B. Bell Distinguished Lecturer, Georgia Southwestern
  State University; the Sister Bernadette Armiger Award, American
  Association of Colleges of Nursing; the Nursing Excellence
  Leadership Award, Houston Organization of Nurses; the
  Distinguished Professional Woman's Award, The University of
  Texas Health Science Center at Houston Committee on the Status of
  Women 1993; the Collaboration Between Nursing Service and
  Education Award, Council Deans/Directors and Nurse Executives;
  Woman of Excellence, Federation of Business and Professional
  Women; Outstanding Woman in Education, YWCA Honoree; Leadership
  Texas; Lifetime Membership, Alumni Association, The University
  of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing; she
  is also a member of Sigma Xi, Sigma Theta Tau, and Phi Kappa Phi
  societies, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing;
  and
         WHEREAS, Dean Starck has shown exemplary leadership in
  addressing the nursing shortage crisis, working tirelessly to
  ensure passage of the doctor of nursing practice program in order
  to provide for the education of nurses to serve this region now
  and in the future; now, therefore, be it
         RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 81st
  Legislature, hereby honor Dr. Patricia L. Starck for her
  outstanding achievements as Dean of The University of Texas
  Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing and her
  contributions to the health of Texans and countless others
  through her leadership in nursing education and commend her for
  her professional accomplishments; and, be it further
         RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
  Dr. Starck as an expression of high regard by the Texas Senate.
 
  Ellis
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        President of the Senate
     
        I hereby certify that the
    above Resolution was adopted by
    the Senate on May 8, 2009.
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
        Secretary of the Senate
   
   
   
    ________________________________ 
         Member, Texas Senate