Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN, CCHP, Named New Co-Chair of the NCCHC Nursing Advisory Council

NCCHC is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Deborah Shelton, PhD, RN-C, CCHP, as the new Chair of the Nursing Advisory Council and volunteer Nursing Accredited Provider Program Director. In this role, Dr. Shelton will ensure that all NCCHC educational activities offering continuing nursing education credits comply with the rigorous standards set by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Dr. Shelton will co-chair the NAC with Patricia Blair, PhD, JD, CCHP-RN, CCHP-A, chair of the NCCHC Governance Board.

Dr. Shelton brings more than 40 years of experience as a nurse, nurse educator, and leader in correctional nursing. She has held diverse roles in teaching and consulting, focusing on advancing the specialty of correctional nursing. Dr. Shelton is the co-founder of the Center 4 Correctional Nursing and recently retired from her position as an adjunct professor in correctional health care at the University of North Carolina.

Her professional achievements include certifications in Human Subjects Research, Nursing Administration, Nurse Executive, and Nurse Professional Development. A CCHP since 2008 and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, she has been actively involved in the American Correctional Nurses Association and NCCHC, furthering her commitment to excellence in correctional health care.

Dr. Shelton has also contributed to workforce development initiatives through her involvement with the National Workforce Forum and the National Academy of Nursing. She recently served as co-editor for a special issue of the Journal of Correctional Health Care dedicated to workforce development, scheduled for publication in 2025.

Dr. Shelton succeeds Lori Roscoe, DNP, PhD, CCHP-RN, who admirably served as Chair for six years. Under Dr. Roscoe’s leadership, NCCHC achieved successful reaccreditation by the ANCC in 2023, solidifying NCCHC’s commitment to providing high-quality education for nursing professionals in correctional health care.

NCCHC extends its gratitude to Dr. Roscoe for her dedication and achievements and warmly welcomes Dr. Shelton into this critical leadership role. Together, we look forward to advancing correctional nursing education and practice.