Sen. Patricia H. Vance, a professional nurse, is the only member of the General Assembly with a medical background. She has been a member of the Senate since 2005 after serving in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1991-2004.

In the Senate, she is chair of the Aging and Youth Committee. She also is a member of the Appropriations, Public Health and Welfare, Finance, Policy, and Law and Justice Committees.

Six of Vance's bills have become law in the Senate. They grant immunity to employers who respond in good faith with reference information on current or former employees; streamline foreign adoption procedures; require nurses to obtain 30 hours of continuing education every two years; blend the state's prescription drug program for low-income seniors with Medicare Part D; ease the barriers to routine dental care; and define and license assisted living facilities.

While a member of the House, Vance authored numerous laws including ones that prohibited discrimination against victims of domestic violence by insurance companies, expanded parents’ ability to protect their children from drug and alcohol abuse, protected elderly patients from physical and sexual abuse from caregivers and created an HMO bill of rights.

Vance has received numerous awards during her tenure. These include the 2007 Government Leader of the Year Award from the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Making a Difference Award from the Caring Place and Pennsylvania Health Care Association’s Better Life Award.

Vance continues to be active in her community as a member of several charitable, community and religious organizations, including as a board member of the Health Alliance of Pennsylvania and a trustee of Harrisburg Area Community College.

She also serves on the following committees – Holy Spirit Hospital Capital Region Maternal Assistance Committee, Keystones of Public Health Steering Committee, United Cerebral Palsy Advisory Committee – and is a member of St. James Presbyterian Church.