Masschusetts Nurse | April 2000

NursePLAN legislator recognition: Rep. Barbara Gardner

Periodically, NursePLAN, the Political Action Committee of the MNA, recognizes the contributions of policy makers. The accomplishments of MNA on behalf of nurses throughout the Commonwealth are a result of collaborative efforts to pass legislation with lawmakers. This column is meant to highlight some of those efforts. 

Rep. Barbara Gardner has been the House majority whip since 1996. As a Democrat from Holliston she represents the 8th Middlesex District which includes the towns of Holliston, Hopkinton, Medway and Southborough. She has been a member of the House since 1987, serving as the vice-chair of the Joint Committee on Education, Art and Humanities and a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. 

Gardner was an early supporter of school nursing. She played a significant role in the drafting and passage of the 1993 Massachusetts Education Reform Act and is currently pursuing a number of legislative initiatives including school safety, additional aid for suburban school districts and special education. She has been influential on home visiting for newborns, women in prison, sewer and water infrastructure needs and Title V. 

NursePLAN and MNA specifically recognize her, as she has been instrumental in a number of nursing issues. She has been a strong and verbal supporter of H. 969, An Act to Prevent Needlestick Injuries, filing her own legislation and testifying in support of our bill. She has been very active with House leadership in seeking its expedient passage. She was instrumental in the passage of MNA's new Whistle Blower legislation and in the passage of new school nursing money. 

For her continued efforts for nursing, MNA and patient care, NuresPLAN recognizes Barbara Gardner!   a

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