Van Ort to Step Down as College of Nursing Dean

Jan. 5, 2000


The UA's College of Nursing Dean Suzanne Van Ort, has resigned from the deanship effective June 30, or as soon thereafter as a successor can be named.

A search committee has held preliminary meetings to identify outstanding candidates for the position. At the completion of her deanship, Van Ort will take a sabbatical leave and then return to a full-time faculty role.

Van Ort has served on the College of Nursing faculty for more than 20 years.

"Throughout her years of service, Dr. Van Ort has demonstrated strong leadership in developing strong faculty governance and in sustaining the high ranking of the College among nursing colleges," said Dr. James E. Dalen, vice president for health sciences and dean at the UA College of Medicine. "We appreciate her outstanding leadership as dean and wish her continued success in her faculty role."

Van began her nursing education career as a faculty member at the UA College of Nursing in 1967. In 1977, she became dean at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire School of Nursing. She returned to the UA in 1982 as associate professor, becoming a full professor in 1992. She was named interim dean of the UA College of Nursing in 1992 and dean in 1994.

She has received recognition for her teaching, publications and service at local, national and international levels. In 1990, she was selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Health (Great Britain). In 1997, she was awarded the International Founder's Award for Excellence in Education by Sigma Theta Tau International, the honor society of nursing. She currently serves as one of three deans elected nationally to the Board of Commissioners of the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the accreditation agency solely for baccalaureate and higher degree nursing programs.

She earned a bachelor's of science degree in nursing from the UA, a master of science degree in nursing from the University of California at Los Angeles, and the first doctorate in higher education, with a minor in nursing, from UA.

"As an alumna, I am especially honored to have served as dean of the College. I have had the privilege of being a participant in the 40-year history of our College as we developed shared visions and collaborative partnerships with our communities," said Van Ort. "Through the efforts of outstanding faculty, superb staff and excellent students, the College continues to excel in nursing education, nursing research and professional service. I am proud to be a part of this tradition of excellence and I look forward to the new dean's leadership in building on these achievements."

Van Ort has been a major force in the continuing excellence of the UA College of Nursing. Celebrating its 42th anniversary this year, the College of Nursing ranks sixth among 491 nursing programs in the nation and among the top 5 percent of graduate nursing programs offering a master's degree.

As Arizona's only program offering a doctoral degree in nursing, the College provides leadership in doctoral education and clinical nursing research.

As the chief academic officer for the College of Nursing, the dean is responsible for providing leadership to ensure integration and continued development of its teaching, research and service missions. The successful candidate must have proven administrative experience in professional nursing, excellent management and organization skills, experience in the effective management of resources, and demonstrated success in development activities. The dean must have demonstrated scholarly achievement and distinguished contributions to the profession of nursing. The successful candidate will be eligible for appointment as a tenured professor.

The search committee is open for recommendations concerning appropriate candidates for Suggestions and nominations should be sent to J. Lyle Bootman, chair of the search committee, at the College of Pharmacy.

Other members of the committee are:
Sue Bill, Community Advisor Board, nursing
Caroline Ellermann, graduate student
Ruth Eskesen, lecturer, nursing
Wanda Howell, associate professor, nutritional sciences
Pamela Reed, associate dean, nursing
Mary Vincenz, senior lecturer, nursing
Pedro Delgado, professor, medicine
Marty Enriquez, vice president of patient care, University Medical Center
Mary Henkel, student affairs coordinator, nursing
Linda Lemke, executive assistant, nursing
Joyce Verran, division director, nursing

Share

Resources for the media