Gov. Abbott Appoints UT Tyler Student to Improve Maternal Health

November 14, 2024 | Elizabeth Wingfield

Governor Greg Abbott selected Dr. Antay Waters, a PhD student at The University of Texas at Tyler School of Nursing, as a member of the Perinatal Advisory Council. Dr. Waters, the only advanced practice nurse on the 19-member council, will serve a three-year term. The advisory council develops and recommends neonatal and maternal care criteria for clinical care settings throughout the state.

“Our mission as a university is to empower students through education to contribute to the betterment of our society,” said UT Tyler President Julie V. Philley, MD. “We are extremely proud that Dr. Waters is being recognized for the profound impact she will have in this critical area of health care.”

In addition to this role, Dr. Waters was also selected by the Texas Health & Human Services Commission to serve for a three-year term as a Texas Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health Implementation mentor. As a mentor, she will help lead efforts to implement evidence-based practices that improve maternal health outcomes across the state.

“Dr. Waters’ appointment to the Perinatal Advisory Council and selection as a Texas AIM mentor is a proud moment for the UT Tyler School of Nursing,” said Dr. Barbara K. Haas, School of Nursing dean. “Her extensive background in women’s health and nursing leadership exemplifies the level of expertise we strive to foster in our students. We are excited to see her apply her skills to make a positive impact on maternal and neonatal care across the state.”

Waters earned her Master of Science in Nursing administration from UT Tyler, Master of Science in Nursing-women's health nurse practitioner from the University of Cincinnati, post-master's certificate in nurse midwifery from Texas Tech University Health Science Center, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Oklahoma Health Science Center. She serves as an assistant professor of nursing at East Texas Baptist University. She’s currently in pursuit of her PhD in nursing at UT Tyler.

With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to more than 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research and excellent patient care. Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine and Houston.