Dr. Cynthia Flynn Capers Advising Johnson & Johnson Nursing Campaign

Akron, Ohio, March 13, 2002 Johnson & Johnson has appointed Dr. Cynthia Flynn Capers, dean of The University of Akron College of Nursing, to serve on an advisory panel for the company's recently launched national program The Campaign for Nursing's Future.

Capers, along with 11 other leaders in nursing, will act as an advisor to the multi-year campaign being developed to help address the national nursing shortage. The campaign, in which Johnson & Johnson estimates it will invest more than $20 million over the next two years, includes programs to enhance the image of the nursing profession, to recruit new nurses and faculty, and to retain current nurses.

"Johnson & Johnson truly is presenting a gift to nursing," Capers says. "This is the first that I am aware of that a corporation has extended such support to the nursing profession."

Capers views the Johnson & Johnson campaign as a mechanism for nursing professionals to extend their mission and increase public awareness of their profession.

"We cannot expect Johnson & Johnson to solve all of our problems," Capers says. "Rather we must use this gift as a tool to further our goals and to educate the public in terms of what nursing is about and the many opportunities in the field."

The Campaign for Nursing's Future initiatives include:

* Recruitment brochures, posters and videos for high schools, nursing schools and nursing organizations.

* Scholarship funds for students and nursing faculty.

* A Web site www.discovernursing.com.

* A national advertising campaign that celebrates nurses and their contributions.

Caper's nursing and teaching career spans more than 30 years. Since joining The University of Akron in 1997, she has been instrumental in advancing the College of Nursing's focus on research and collaboration, strengthening the academic program offerings, and building liaisons and partnerships with community groups. Under her leadership, the college recently established a Center for Gerontological Health Nursing and Advocacy.

A Harrisburg, Pa., native and 25-year resident of Philadelphia, Capers resides in Green, Ohio.

The University of Akron is the public research university for Northern Ohio. Founded in 1870, it is the only public university in Ohio with a science and engineering program ranked in the top five nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Serving approximately 24,300 students, the University offers more than 350 associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degree programs and 100 certificate programs at its main campus in Akron, its Wayne College branch campus in Orrville, and at sites throughout Medina and Summit counties. For more information, visit www.uakron.edu.