Dr. Patricia D. Hurn was recently named the next dean for University of Michigan’s (U-M) School of Nursing, effective August 1st. She is the current vice chancellor for research and innovation and the executive officer of the University of Texas system. Dr. Hurn also holds the position of professor of nursing with tenure at the University of Texas. Hurn will be replacing Dean Kathleen Potempa, who will step down on July 31st after 10 years of service to U-M.
Dr. Hurn’s career in nursing began at the University of Florida where she received her bachelor’s degree in nursing before proceeding to the University of Washington for her master’s in nursing. Her academic career began after receiving her doctorate in physiology from Johns Hopkins. After receiving her PhD, Hurn went on to hold several faculty and research positions at Oregon Health and Science University’s School of Medicine, and found the Research Center for Gender-based Medicine there.
In her position of vice chancellor for research and innovation at the University of Texas System, Dr. Hurn serves as the chief health research officer for six health organizations. She is also a research professor in neurobiology at the UT College of Natural Sciences. Hurn’s work in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of gender differences in response to experimental brain injury is internationally known, and she is an internationally recognized researcher on stroke and other neurological conditions. She currently directs an interdisciplinary research laboratory, conducting biomedical research and applying findings to point-of-care patient applications.
Hurn’s leadership work focuses on collaborative bio-health research models, science education innovation, and research technologies. She has implemented university wide programs in faculty development, advanced women’s pursuits in science and medicine, and advocated collaboration. Her research experience includes being the principal investigator on more than $20 million in grant-supported research as well as co-investigator and collaborator on several innovative research projects. Dr. Hurn is looking forward to the opportunity to push U-M’s School of Nursing toward even greater scholarship, leadership in health care delivery, and innovation in education.
U-M is very pleased to accept Dr. Hurn as the new School of Nursing Dean, looking forward to her bringing her collaborative approach to leadership and translational research to expand the university’s innovative work in interprofessional health education.
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