September 4, 2007
Chiverton stepping down as nursing dean
Patricia Chiverton will step down as dean of the
School of Nursing at the end of this academic year. A search committee,
chaired by Provost Ralph Kuncl, is being formed to choose her successor.
“Pat’s tenure as dean of the School of
Nursing truly represents a great renaissance for nursing education at
Rochester and her vision has helped mold the future of health care in
western New York and beyond,” said Bradford Berk, Medical Center CEO,
in his announcement on August 28. “Her creative approaches to
improving nursing practice, dedication to supporting entrepreneurship in
the field, and keen ability to spot emerging trends and opportunities for
growth have put the School of Nursing on the map as a national model for
success.”
Chiverton’s eight-year tenure as dean has been
marked by a number of changes and innovations. Guided by a vision to turn
around sagging enrollment and unhealthy financials, the school launched new
programs such as a one-year accelerated program for non-nurses. Total
enrollment has increased by more than 100 students, the faculty body has
grown significantly, and the school’s budget has nearly doubled. Last
year the school completed an $8.1 million renovation and expansion
project—the first in its history.
Chiverton says it is with a heavy heart that she
leaves the role that has brought her much professional fulfillment, but she
is looking forward to taking a one-year sabbatical and then returning to
the University to continue her work as the first Pamela York Klainer
Endowed Chair in Nursing Entrepreneurship.
“Since becoming dean in 1999, the School of
Nursing has evolved in ways I always knew were possible but oftentimes
seemed so out of reach. With the help of a world-class faculty, dedicated
staff, supportive University leadership and generous alumni and friends
we’ve successfully launched many new educational programs,
significantly raised our NIH research funding, started a Center for Nursing
Entrepreneurship, built a new educational wing, and completed a $20 million
capital campaign. I take tremendous pride in all of these accomplishments,
but am most proud of our ability as a school to continue to offer the very
best and most cutting-edge nursing education to our students.”
Information on the search committee, a job
description, and other related materials will be posted on the University
Web site in the coming weeks.
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