2802 St. Remy Circle, Bloomington IN 47401
Family
Husband: David L. Welch;
married since 1979
Son: David E. Welch; married to Rejni and living in San Diego, CA
Education
Clinton High School, Clinton, Mississippi, graduated 1973
Mississippi College, Clinton, Mississippi, 1973-1977. Bachelor of Science, Social Studies and Education
Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, 1992-1994. Took four prerequisite courses for nursing school
Ivy Tech State College, Bloomington, Indiana, 1993-1995. Associate Science of Nursing; Phi Theta Kappa
Places Lived
Born in Fulton, Mississippi; October 13, 1955. Grew up in Hinds County, Mississippi. After college moved to Washington, D.C. Moved to Bloomington in August 1981.
Church
Sherwood Oaks Christian Church, Bloomington, Indiana; Active Member
Legislative Career
Elected to Indiana House of Representatives in November 1998; Democrat
Currently serving on standing committees of: Ways and Means; Public Health; Government Reduction; State Budget Committee, House Democrat alternate.
Since 1998, served consistently on Ways and Means Committee. Also served on: Financial Institutions; Local Government; Technology Research and Development; Human Affairs
August 1999, completed the Council of State Government Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development in Madison, Wisconsin.
Fall 2000, appointed to National Conference of State Legislatures Forum for State Health Policy Leadership (NCSL)
2002-2004, President of Indiana General Assembly Women’s Caucus Chair
September 2003, completed the Council of State Government Toll Fellowship Program, Lexington, Kentucky
2008-2009, President of NCSL Women’s Legislative Network
2009-2010, Chair of NCSL Health Committee
2010-2011 Vice Chair, NCSL Standing Committees
Work Experience
1995 to present: Bloomington Hospital. Since April 1996, floor nurse in the hospital’s cancer unit. June 1995 until October 1996, hospital’s critical care units. January 1997 to December 1997, part-time physician extender for two cardiovascular surgeons.
August 1991 to August 1994: Graduate Secretary, Department of Theatre and Drama, Indiana University
January 1991 to May 1991: Substitute Teacher, Monroe County Community School Corporation
October 1983 to December 1994: Certified Childbirth Educator for Lamaze of Bloomington, Inc.
October 1983 to December 1990: Monroe County Probation Department. First Director of the Monroe County Community Corrections Program and probation officer.
August 1981 to April 1982: Substitute Teacher, Monroe County Community School Corporation
January 1979 to July 1981: Legislative Assistant, United States Senator Thad Cochran, Washington, D.C.
May 1977 to January 1979: Special Projects Coordinator and Caseworker, United States Representative Thad Cochran, Washington, D.C.
Activities
Current
American Heart Association Executive Leadership Team, Monroe County
Monroe County ACHIEVE Advisory Board (CDC and YMCAs of USA healthy community initiative)
Harrison College Board of Trustees
Indiana Department of Correction PLUS Board of Advisors (PLUS is faith and character based program for inmates)
Family Impact Seminars Advisory Committee
Ivy Tech State College, Bloomington Campus, Nursing Programs Advisory Board, Chairman
Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce
Ellettsville Chamber of Commerce
Eastern Greene County Chamber of Commerce
Bloomington Local Council of Women
Indiana State Nurses Association
NAACP
Monroe County Democrat Women’s Club
Recognitions
Twelve years of work as a legislator has brought numerous recognitions and honors, which include:
Indiana State Medical Society Legislator of the Year
Great Lakes American Cancer Society Excalibur Award, inaugural recipient
Indiana Home and Hospice Welch Scholarship
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Public Service Award
American Heart Association Heart of Indiana Award
Indiana Chamber of Commerce Small Business Champion
Indiana Safe Kids Coalition, Child Safety Advocate Award
Ivy Tech State College's 2000 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year