NURSING
The Power of We
Celebrating Dean Linda McCauley — and the collective effort that took the school to new heights
FROM THE DEAN
In August, I stood before our faculty and staff to announce my retirement as dean. Before I spoke, a video played — a vivid reflection of our years together. It celebrated an incredible rise in enrollment and research funding, no. 1 rankings, and transformative community initiatives. It was a moment of pride, reflection and celebration.
As I approached the podium, one truth resonated above all: every milestone we’ve reached has been fueled by a collective effort — the power of “we.” The commitment of faculty and staff past and present — alongside our extraordinary students, alumni, friends, advisors, and partners — has transformed vision into reality and elevated the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing to national prominence. Our unwavering belief in a shared vision has been the heartbeat of our progress and the foundation of who we are today. I’m honored to showcase some of our incredible work in this magazine issue.
Though I’m proud of our achievements, the journey is far from over. The nursing profession — and health care as a whole — continues to call for innovation, compassion and leadership. As I look to the future, I do so with hope and confidence — knowing that the spirit of the school is strong, and that a bold and brilliant community will write the next chapter.
With gratitude,
Linda A. McCauley
79MN, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN Professor and Dean Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Dean McCauley welcomes new BSN students with a Coke Toast, a longstanding Emory tradition, in 2013.
STEVE ELLWOOD
NURSING
FALL/WINTER 2025
Dean, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Linda A. McCauley 79MN, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN
Chief of Staff and Associate Dean
Tricia Benson 86MN
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing/Editor
Melanie Kieve
Senior Director of Communications and Marketing
Lauren Powers
Communications Specialist
Kennedy Gooden
Art and Creative Director
Erica Endicott
NURSING
Editorial Contributor
Rose Hayes, MA, RN, BSN
Photography Contributors
Paul Beezley
Steve Ellwood
Emory Photo Video
Jenni Girtman
Kennedy Gooden
Kay Hinton
Jack Kearse
Lauren Powers
Parker Clayton Smith
Ted Pio Roda Photography
On the cover: Dean McCauley with faculty, staff and students in front of the school’s 1520 Clifton Road building. Photo: Ted Pio Roda Photography; Back cover: Jenni Girtman/Atlanta Event Photography
EMORY NURSING is published by the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing (nursing.emory.edu), a component of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center of Emory University. ©2025
Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).
2 EMORY NURSING | emorynursingmagazine.emory.edu
Celebrating Dean Linda McCauley — and the collective effort that took the school to new heights
McCauley as an environmental health trailblazer
Beyond Four Walls
McCauley’s legacy in nursing education 26 U.S. News ranks BSN program among best for fifth year 27 American Academy of Nursing includes 16 Emory inductees
School trains Puerto Rico’s first acute care NPs
Emory 2O36 raises $60 million for school
Save the Date: A Night to Celebrate Nursing Excellence 35 Blake Scholars reception thanks partners, highlights students
THE POWER
DEAN LINDA MCCAULEY
— and the collective effort that took
STORY BY MELANIE KIEVE
As dean of the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, Linda McCauley 79MN, PhD, RN, FAAN, FRCN, occasionally shared about her experiences playing high school basketball in High Point, N.C. Her team didn’t just play basketball, though. They were North Carolina state champions for three consecutive years, and McCauley fondly recalled the lessons learned and confidence instilled during that formative time.
But what no one ever heard in her recounting was her position on the team, whether she was a starter, or how many points she scored. Her message was always about the accomplishments of the team and their pursuit of excellence.
As McCauley concludes her 16-year tenure as dean at the end of December, her recollection is the same: The school has reached championship levels — earning national No. 1 rankings for its master’s and bachelor’s nursing programs and experiencing meteoric growth in enrollment, research and more. But she insists: It has been a team achievement, not hers alone.
“Being a dean is not about you,” she says. “It’s about how the school performs under your leadership — about working together to improve the profession and make things better.”
When McCauley became dean in 2009, the school’s master’s degree program was ranked No. 26 nationwide. The school was small, approximately 475 students, and faced other challenges — including
“You don’t ignore what society is calling you to do.”
a wave of faculty retirements and a limited pipeline of younger scholars — that posed a daunting educational landscape.
However, McCauley met those challenges with something more substantial — a profound respect and appreciation for the school and its people, informed by her time as a graduate student 30 years earlier.
The Path to Emory
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and working in clinical practice,
McCauley assumes leadership of the school in 2009.
McCauley with her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing, where she served before Emory.
The Power of ‘We’
BSN students celebrate the program's No. 1 ranking in 2024.
McCauley came to Emory in 1978 to pursue a Master of Nursing degree, which was then a year-long postlicensure program.
“It was a transformative year,” she recalls. "I loved every single course I took, and the faculty were just amazing. I knew when I finished that year that I wasn't finished. Twelve months wasn’t long enough, and I wanted to learn more.”
From there, she pursued a PhD in environmental health and epidemiology and became a tenured professor at the University of Cincinnati. She then spent 10 years outside nursing as an occupational and environmental scientist and professor at Oregon Health Sciences University.
At that point, she came to a crossroads of whether to stay on that trajectory or return to nursing. She asked herself: "Do I have something to give back to the profession? Do I have something to say?”
Deciding that she had something to give, McCauley applied to become the associate dean for research at the University of Pennsylvania School of
“I’ve witnessed Dean McCauley’s leadership from age 19 when I started in the traditional BSN program to now, serving my fourth year as a faculty member. When I was a DNP student, Dean McCauley spoke to my cohort, encouraging us to ‘combine your curiosity with what you care about.’ I have never forgotten those words, which offer tremendous wisdom for a nursing career that is meaningful, full of purpose and passion. In this way and many more, Dean McCauley has shaped who I am as a nurse and a person.”
CHELSEA O. P. HAGOPIAN 12BSN 14MSN 18DNP, APRN, AGACNP-BC
Assistant Clinical Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing; Executive Director, Georgia Nursing Workforce Center
Nursing. For the next five years, she worked at Penn, building her leadership skills, research portfolio, and administrative experience. Then came the opportunity at Emory.
The First Priority
If you described McCauley’s tenure at Emory as a movie production, her first task was assembling a cast. During her early years, she spent 90% of her time building the faculty — retaining the existing faculty and hiring the best minds to join them.
“I went after talent wherever it was, because if you don’t have stellar faculty, the ones everyone else wants, you don’t have a top school,” she says.
McCauley says it was an easy sell once prospective faculty saw the resources available to them — including the proximity to Emory’s public health and medical schools, Woodruff Health Sciences Center, and Emory Healthcare, as well as Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, the Joseph Maxwell Cleland
McCauley and colleagues (from left)
Eun-Ok Im, Deborah Bruner, and Sandi Dunbar receive four of the five awards presented by the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research in 2022.
Atlanta VA Medical Center, Grady Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Once you come here, you realize it is a gourmet kitchen and you can cook whatever you want,” she says. “You just need people who know how to cook.”
The national recognition earned by faculty during McCauley’s tenure is a testament to her recruiting prowess. The number of faculty earning prominent nursing fellowships increased significantly: American Academy of Nursing Fellows grew from 8 to 54, American Association of Nurse Practitioners Fellows went from 1 to 17, and National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education Fellows increased from 1 to 3. In 2022, the Friends of the National Institute of Nursing Research honored Emory faculty members with four out of five of its annual awards.
A Great Partnership
With a core group of faculty in place, the dean and her team became laser-focused on another priority: building an academic-practice partnership with Emory Healthcare. Their collaboration began during the 2014 Ebola crisis, when the two organizations worked side by
“Dean McCauley’s leadership has been nothing short of steadfast, visionary and bold. She guided the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing through remarkable growth, a global pandemic, and deep social challenges with compassion and clarity. Her courage inspires, and her investment in middle managers has strengthened our ability to lead, collaborate and serve with purpose. She leaves behind a legacy — and for that, I am deeply grateful and truly honored.”
ARNITA HOWARD
Senior Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Dean McCauley and Emory Healthcare Chief Nurse Executive Sharon Pappas with students at the Emory Nursing Learning Center.
McCauley welcomes new faculty at the start of the 2022–2023 academic year.
“Linda will be celebrated for many accomplishments — like terrific holiday parties and bold research goals. For me, her greatest achievements are the ways she has consistently committed resources and energy to support the research mission of the school — and, particularly, the leadership by example she has provided as an active investigator with a remarkably sustained and wellfunded research portfolio that she has maintained throughout her tenure as dean.”
KENNETH HEPBURN, PHD Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing; Co-Director, Emory Roybal Center for Dementia Caregiving Mastery
Nurses participate in a training at the Emory Nursing Experience, one of the signature School of NursingEmory Healthcare collaborations.
side to create education and safety protocols. Two years later, Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, came on board as Emory Healthcare’s Chief Nurse Executive. Under her leadership and McCauley’s, the two entities began to be “joined at the hip,” McCauley says.
They collaborated to develop initiatives such as the Emory Nursing Experience, a nationwide, in-person and online professional development program; InEmory, an MN program that incorporates Emory Healthcare clinical experiences and job opportunities; and Emory Integrated Memory Care, a nurse-led primary care clinic for patients with dementia.
The entities also strengthened their clinical placement partnership, a development McCauley says benefits students and the patients they serve.
“In academic health systems, our students are learning to care for patients,” she says. “But they are also seeing — with clinical trials, for example — what the future treatments will be. Students learn to take care of today’s patients and begin to see where care is going.”
“I never imagined directing multi-million-dollar federal grants or being recognized by national organizations as a clinical track faculty member. This was only possible because of Dean McCauley’s foresight and support. Her leadership — and the recognition she gives to highcaliber clinical track faculty at the school — empowers people like me to reach our full potential. This, in turn, benefits our students, patients, community partners, and fellow nurses. Her vision will have a lasting impact long after her deanship ends.”
QUYEN PHAN 03MSN, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Clinical Professor, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
“If you don’t have stellar faculty, you don’t have a top school.”
“Dean McCauley has undeniable superpowers. She’s a parent, which shows up in how she cares for people. A mentor who recognizes and helps you reach your potential. A leader who recruits and develops teams second to none. A friend who has your back. A colleague who enables you to learn from the best. A nurse who is committed to your mental and physical well-being. And above all, a human who truly cares about the state of our world and wants it to be better for everyone in it.”
BENJAMIN HARRIS, MS
Assistant Dean for Organizational Success and Engagement, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
REFLECTIONS
Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Chief Nurse Executive, Emory Healthcare
Almost nine years ago, as I was preparing to begin service as Emory Healthcare’s Chief Nurse Executive, Dean McCauley invited me to attend a Dean and Chief Nurse Executives Meeting hosted by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. And so, it began — a partnership and friendship that has made these years some of the best of my professional life.
Over the years, I’ve seen Linda’s passion for our profession and vision for its future. Her mother was a nurse, so her love of nursing was established early — reinforced by her love of humanity and patients. Her mission is to serve, and you can see this in her leadership and research. I hear it as she talks about her children and grandchildren, making sure the future of health care and nursing is good for them. My daughter is one of Linda’s graduates, and it was a precious time when we gave her a diploma at graduation.
Linda’s influence is broad. She sponsored my appointment to the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) Committee on Clinician Well-being — a treasured assignment for me. We released our publication in 2019, and I took that knowledge to Emory Healthcare as we cared for patients and clinicians during and after COVID-19.
One of my favorite memories was when the NAM committee presented its findings to the public. Afterwards, Linda came up to me and said, “Great job; Emory is proud of you. Do you want some fried chicken?” We went to lunch and began planning our next adventure.
Linda and I spent many hours talking about Emory Nursing, and you can see our fingerprints on many things, including the InEmory program, the Emory Nursing Learning Center, and the school’s national rankings and Emory Healthcare’s eight Magnet designations.
Recently, we were at a restaurant we often visited, discussing how to continually improve our work. The manager came by and congratulated us — it was our 25th dinner there.
I have thought about what that meant, and here is my conclusion: Leadership is about relationships, relationships build trust, and most importantly, humanity is served best when individuals convene around a common purpose with passion and love. I thank God for these years with Linda as my partner and look forward to future adventures.
A Growth Mindset
A growth mindset has always guided McCauley. During her tenure, the school developed a range of new programs, including:
“As a staff member working alongside Dean McCauley, it’s been the honor of a lifetime. Her belief in faculty and staff equity and her unwavering commitment to excellence in higher education drove us all. She challenged us to think bigger, stay focused, and believe in what we could achieve together. Her legacy will live on — not just in the successes she created but in the people she has guided, and the values instilled. Though she is leaving, the impact of her leadership will remain.”
ADAM MALM, MBA Senior Assistant Dean for Operations and Registrar, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• Master in Cardiovascular Perfusion Science
• Master of Nursing (prelicensure program for students with bachelor’s degrees in other disciplines)
• InEmory Master of Nursing
• Nurse Anesthesia DNP
• PhD in Nursing Data Science and Analytics
• Psychiatric Mental Health DNP
With the growth in programs came a natural growth in enrollment, but that effort was accompanied by an intentional push to increase the number of students.
The school has grown to more than 1,500 students, making it Georgia’s leading producer of registered nurses. What was a small but mighty team in 2009 has grown to 212 faculty, 181 staff, and 14 postdocs, with an additional 471 adjunct and emeritus faculty, instructors, visiting scholars, trainees, and faculty consultants.
“But it hasn’t been growth for growth’s sake,” McCauley insists. “It is being an icon of an institution that can step up to the
McCauley and other dignitaries cut the ribbon during the Emory Nursing Learning Center opening celebration.
challenge of preparing more nurses. You don’t ignore what society is calling you to do.”
Ingenuity and Expansion
As McCauley entered her 10th year as dean, the school had already doubled in size, but the success created an inevitable challenge: space.
The simulation space in the school’s 1520 Clifton Road location was insufficient, so the school leased space at three locations. Classrooms were bursting at the seams with students, and McCauley and her team had to find a solution.
When schools or colleges need a new building, they typically need two things: demonstrated growth and a substantial donation. The School of Nursing had the former, but not the latter.
“We had to challenge the model,” McCauley says. And challenge they did. They exercised fiscal prudence and built the school’s reserves. They also became de facto real estate experts, guided by colleagues in the industry. After realizing that options on campus weren’t possible, they explored purchasing and leasing options around Atlanta — eventually landing on 250 East Ponce de Leon Ave., a downtown Decatur office building three miles from the Emory campus.
With ingenuity and hard work, the Emory Nursing Learning Center opened three years later, in 2022. The $20.6 million, 70,000-square-foot center features cutting-edge simulation and instructional spaces and is home to the Emory Nursing Experience
“Linda McCauley’s tenure at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing has been astonishing. She directed our growth to become a top nursing school at a time when creating new nursing science was recognized as critical to a person’s health. Her vision and leadership on campus and in the national landscape created many of the conversations we are having today as we retool higher education in a post-pandemic and technologic revolution. The graduates from Emory are doing great work as they continue her legacy.”
MAEVE HOWETT 82C
85BSN 97MSN 06PHD, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, FAAN
Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives, University at BuffaloSUNY School of Nursing
“The pure weight of the science in this school is incredible.”
professional development program. Since opening, the center has expanded its footprint, adding 10,000 square feet for testing space and the Master in Cardiovascular Perfusion Science program.
“The Emory Nursing Learning Center was a dream that I had,” McCauley says. “As we were meeting the challenge of producing more nursing graduates, we had a distinct need to create what the next generation of nursing students will need to learn effectively. That’s what this center has done.”
Research Excellence
While leading the school, McCauley never wavered from her commitment to nursing science. Spurred by her doctoral project, which showed the health risks for nurses handling chemotherapy drugs, her scholarship lies at the intersection of nursing and environmental and occupational health sciences.
“I got back the results from my first study, and I thought, ‘That’s pretty cool,’” she says. “From that moment on, I was totally hooked.”
A pioneer in nursing research, she has focused on environmental health issues such as pesticide exposure and heat-related risks for vulnerable populations, particularly children and farmworkers.
McCauley leads a discussion during the Children’s Environmental Health Research Translation annual meeting.
“Building relationships has been the ‘magic sauce’ of our success.”
Since 1985, she has maintained continuous research funding totaling more than $58 million, authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, and brought critical environmental issues to the public eye. (See story, page 20.)
Under McCauley’s leadership, the school has intentionally hired faculty with robust research portfolios, supported their pursuits, and organized the research enterprise into hubs focused on specific areas of interest, including aging studies/caregiving, AI/data science, violence/injuring prevention and treatment, natural disaster and environmental science, oncology, pediatrics, women’s health, and cardiovascular, brain and biomarkers. Among those she recruited was her own PhD advisor and mentor, Vicki Hertzberg, PhD, FASA, a renowned professor and researcher on big data and health care.
Unsurprisingly, the school has climbed from No. 38 to No. 3 among nursing schools in National Institutes of Health funding. It has been ranked in the top five for 10 consecutive years. Over the past 15 years, the school has received over $121 million in NIH funding.
“The pure weight of the science in this school is incredible,” she says.
Partnership in Action
During her time as dean, McCauley has enjoyed the partnership of donors and friends to help bring her vision for the school to fruition — the Bedford Falls Foundation, CenterWell, Helene Fuld Health Trust, Lettie Pate Whitehead Foundation, Liz Blake Giving Fund, Robert W. Woodruff Foundation, Tull Charitable Foundation, and others.
Their collective efforts — and those of countless alumni and donors over the years — led to the creation of Emory Integrated Memory Care, the Center for Data Science, the Center for Nursing Excellence in Palliative Care, and the Georgia Nursing Workforce Center, as well as a host of scholarships, professorships, fellowships, and Emory Nursing Learning Center spaces. From 2010 to 2025, the number of scholarships increased by 331%, helping more students achieve their dreams of an Emory education.
McCauley’s partnership mindset also extended to pursuits in global health and service-learning. She expanded the Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility, enabling more students to engage in immersive service-learning experiences with partners in rural Georgia, underserved U.S. communities, and international settings. She also led the launch of the first PhD in Nursing Program in Ethiopia, which was developed in collaboration with Addis Ababa University — a milestone in global nursing education.
McCauley with faculty member and mentor Vicki Hertzberg.
McCauley shares a moment with John Hardman, former president and CEO of the Carter Center, at the Lillian Carter Center’s 10th anniversary in 2011.
Dean McCauley with alumna Susan Greb at an alumni awards dinner.
“I have had the honor of having Linda in my life for over 25 years. One of the highlights of being dean at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing was appointing her associate dean for research. From there, she propelled the Emory School of Nursing to many new heights, played a vital role in shaping environmental and occupational health research, and became a national interdisciplinary leader — serving on the National Academy of Medicine Governing Council, one of the highest indications of stature in science. I am grateful to Linda for leading the way for nurse engagement in new areas of science, demonstrating an innovative spirit, and being a transformative leader for research, for schools, and for our nation’s health.”
AFAF I. MELEIS, PHD, DRPS (HON), FAAN, LL
REFLECTIONS
Deborah Watkins Bruner, RN, PhD, FAAN
Senior Vice President for Research, Emory University
Dean Linda McCauley’s facilitation of research in the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is well known. For over 15 years, she has hired faculty with exemplary research and scholarship and fostered research by investing in faculty incentives and support.
This has led to one of the most extraordinary rises among peer universities in National Institutes of Health funding and rankings. In 2010, the school ranked 38th in NIH awards, with under $2 million. Today, the school ranks third, with over $18 million in funding — marking a decade of sustained excellence among the top five U.S. nursing schools.
Dean McCauley’s appreciation for nursing research extends from her pioneering work in environmental health issues such as pesticide exposure and heat-related risks for vulnerable populations, including farmworkers. Her team also advanced the science by demonstrating the potential for field-based, heatexposure biomonitoring.
In occupational health, Dean McCauley’s work has advanced knowledge on the effects of workplace chemicals and stressors on physical and mental well-being. Her research has informed best practices and policy changes to improve occupational health standards nationwide, and her advocacy has brought these issues to the public eye through interviews in national media outlets.
Since 1985, she has maintained continuous research funding totaling more than $58 million, authored over 200 peer-reviewed publications, and mentored 19 doctoral researchers. She has been honored with over 20 awards and appointments to the American Academy of Nursing and National Academy of Medicine, reflecting her expertise and commitment to advancing health care. Through her work with the academies, she has contributed to policy discussions and initiatives that shape national health priorities.
In all her work, she remains an influential voice in improving health outcomes through environmental awareness and nursing excellence.
Dean Emerita, University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing
Researcher Whitney Wharton at the school's biobehavioral lab, one of the research investments made during Dean McCauley's tenure.
Preparing for the Future
“When I graduated from the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing 35 years ago, I never envisioned it would eventually become the nation’s No. 1 nursing school. Thankfully, Dean McCauley did have that vision. It is due to her strategic vision and incredible talent that, after 33 years, I would return to serve on the school’s alumni board. Thank you, Dean McCauley, for your leadership and guidance, and for consistently acknowledging the importance of our alumni.”
DARRELL OWENS 90BSN, DNP, MS-THANATOLOGY, FT, FAAN
Nurse Practitioner, Thanatologist, and Grief Counselor; Clinical Professor, University of Washington School of Medicine
McCauley has also consistently focused on discovering what’s next in nursing, strongly emphasizing interprofessional collaboration and forward-thinking degree programs and initiatives. The Dean’s Advisory Board — comprising leaders from health care, business, and nonprofit sectors — has played a pivotal role in shaping this vision.
As a longtime member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), she has brought the voice of nursing into cross-disciplinary conversations about the future of medicine and health. In 2023, she co-chaired a highprofile NAM study on strategies to improve primary care in the U.S. — work that earned her the academy’s David Rall Medal for distinguished leadership.
Her forward-thinking approach has inspired the launch of new academic offerings at the School of Nursing, including cardiovascular perfusion and data science programs. A Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition program is slated to launch next year.
“We are trying to line up programs of study with where health care is going,” she says.
The school also recently endowed the Georgia Nursing Workforce Center, which studies the retention, recruitment, education and distribution of Georgia’s nursing workforce. The Georgia Nursing Leadership
Dean McCauley meets with a group of staff in the Emory Nursing Learning Center conference room named for her.
Coalition, a group of nursing leaders across the state, collaborates with the school on this work.
“To make informed decisions for the future, we need to know what is going on in our state and nation’s nursing workforce,” McCauley says. “Emory had the resources to ensure this work continues to serve the state, and I’m incredibly proud of that.”
The Team Mentality
One of McCauley’s earliest — and strongest — influences was her mother, who served as a private duty hospital nurse, taking care of patients in the days before ICUs existed.
McCauley admired her mother’s keen clinical expertise, but she also appreciated the strong sense of community she witnessed when she visited her mother at work. In the late 1960s in North Carolina, civil rights challenges were pervasive, but inside the hospital unit, her mother
“Deans come and deans go, but the most important thing is this community.”
and coworkers from diverse backgrounds worked seamlessly together.
“Her friends at work meant the world to her,” McCauley recalls. “It was a bubble of camaraderie and support.”
That influence informed McCauley’s career-long commitment to diversity, including her time at Emory. In 2010, a year after her arrival as dean, the school’s student population was 40% diverse. In 2025, 68% of students are from diverse backgrounds, and 27 countries are represented in the student body.
Her mother’s close-knit workplace was also a guidepost to the work culture she wanted to develop at Emory: one infused with community-building and support.
“Building relationships — focusing on both staff and faculty — has been the 'magic sauce' of our success,” McCauley said when she announced her retirement to faculty and staff in August.
“Deans come and deans go, but the most important thing is this community,” she shared — always focused on the team.
Melanie
Kieve
is senior director of communications and marketing at the School of Nursing and editor of Emory Nursing
REFLECTIONS
Carlos del Rio, MD, MACP, FIDSA
H. Cliff Sauls Distinguished Professor of Medicine and Chair, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine
I have known Linda McCauley since she came to Emory as dean of the School of Nursing in 2009. Linda has been a transformational leader who has always sought ways to partner across the Woodruff Health Sciences Center to make us all better. She is nationally and internationally known as a nursing education leader and a researcher studying the impact of environmental exposures and health hazards on vulnerable populations.
Linda is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine and an active participant in academy activities. She co-chaired the report Implementing High-Quality Primary Care: Rebuilding the Foundation of Health Care, and she is a member of the NAM Governing Council. I have seen her function during council discussions, and she is an excellent listener and a consensus builder. Her unique style of leadership, I am sure, is one of the reasons why the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is now ranked as the top school of nursing in the country. We will miss you, Linda!
“Dean Linda McCauley’s leadership has been transformative for nursing education, research and practice. She has modeled how a dean can elevate a school’s national visibility while remaining deeply committed to students, faculty and community. As a colleague, I have admired her courage to advance science on pressing health issues, her mentorship of future leaders, and her advocacy for the nursing profession at every level. Dean McCauley’s legacy will continue to inspire us as we shape the future of nursing together.”
HUDSON
SANTOS, PHD, RN, FABMR, FAAN
Dean,
University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
“The Emory Nursing Learning Center was a dream that I had...to create what the next generation of nursing students will need to learn effectively.”
—
DEAN LINDA
MCCAULEY
McCauley addresses the crowd at the opening of the Emory Nursing Learning Center.
TED PIO RODA PHOTOGRAPHY
LESSONS IN BRAVERY McCauley as an Environmental Health Trailblazer
There are many reasons to feel deep concern about the health of our planet and the communities that inhabit it today. There are many reasons to feel overwhelmed in the face of environmental degradation and wonder, “What could I possibly do? What difference could one person make?”
STORY BY ROSE HAYES
Sometimes we need to see someone else model behavior to imagine what’s possible for us. At the Emory School of Nursing, this example has been Dean Linda McCauley. Here are some lessons she has modeled over the years, as told by colleagues and community partners — lessons that speak to her significance to environmental health research.
“Dean McCauley’s leadership has been the steady thread woven throughout my nursing journey. From my time as an MSN student to instructor and now faculty member, Dean McCauley has consistently modeled exceptional leadership, mentorship, and bold innovation, always leading with grace and strength. Her vision has shaped not only our school but also the national and global nursing landscape. Her legacy lives in the countless lives she has touched and the community she has inspired.”
PAULA TUCKER 10MSN 24PHD, DNP, FNP-BC, ENPC, FAANP, FAAN Associate Clinical Professor and Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program Director, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Step 1: Start with an unforgettable meeting
Dean McCauley is a foundational researcher in community-based participatory research, which involves partnering with communities in every research phase — from designing studies to sharing results.
The Girasoles (Sunflower) Project is an example of this methodology. A partnership between Emory School of Nursing and the Farmworker Association of Florida, the Girasoles Project has brought together farmworkers, nurse scientists, and community researchers for over a decade. Under McCauley’s guidance, they have studied occupational health hazards that affect agricultural workers, including pesticides and extreme heat.
How do you build impactful community partnerships? One meeting at a time.
“We had the best meetings,” says Jeannie Economos, pesticide safety and environmental health project coordinator for the Farmworker Association of Florida. “Everyone felt both listened to and truly heard. In our meetings, we learned from each other. We felt comfortable when we spoke that we — including the farmworkers — would not be judged. We knew that we had a voice, and that our voice mattered."
Dean McCauley with Roxana Chicas as she defends her dissertation.
Farmworker health is a focus of Dean McCauley’s Girasoles (Sunflower) Project.
“Dean Linda McCauley is the full package! She is an impactful scholar, an inspiring leader, a world-builder, a mentor par excellence, a visionary, and someone who can just plain get things done. I look up to Linda and am so grateful for her leadership.”
SARAH L. SZANTON, PHD, RN, ANP, APRN, FAAN Dean, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
Step 2: Share the vision — and step back
According to her colleagues, a unique aspect of McCauley’s leadership style is that she shares a vision with you, provides resources, and then steps back. She trusts those around her. McCauley’s signature leap of faith has propelled outstanding accomplishments and helped shape countless career pathways.
“Dean McCauley helped me find my identity and gave a name — environmental health scientist — to my passion for preventing heat-related illness and death among agricultural workers,” says Assistant Professor Roxana Chicas 16BSN 20PhD, RN, FAAN. “She gave me opportunities I never thought possible, and she continues to mentor and push me to be fearless. Her influence has transformed my career and my family’s future; my children now see college and professional careers as the norm and feel confident in spaces that once felt out of reach.”
Step 3: It’s okay to sass, sometimes
Many barriers can impede environmental health research. McCauley has repeatedly shown her mettle by challenging those in positions of authority, as well as herself and her friends. When she errs, she takes accountability; when those around her fall short, she asks how she can help them do better.
“There are so many things I have seen in her as a servant leader that I hope to emulate,” says Nathan Mutic, MS, MAT, MEd, assistant dean of research operations for the school.
Mutic recalled a time in 2020 when funding cuts led to the dissolution of the six national Children's Environmental Health Research Centers. McCauley had been leading one of the centers at Emory, focused on understanding the environmental threats that put Black mothers and babies at disproportionate risk of outcomes like cancer, miscarriages, and early childhood illnesses.
“She was the first and most vocal center director to advocate for a new iteration of the program focused on research translation,” Mutic says, referring to the process of sharing scientific knowledge with stakeholder groups in relevant, engaging and actionable ways.
“Her first reaction was not to think about herself,” says Mutic. “It was about ensuring community voices could remain in the field.”
Her advocacy helped to inform a new wave of investment and a profession-wide shift towards translation science. At Emory, it led to the formation of the Center for Children's Health Assessment, Research Translation, and Combating Environmental Risks (CHARTER).
Step 4: Try, fail, learn, repeat
McCauley’s scientific achievements are many. She was among the first investigators to show a link between handling chemotherapy drugs and health risks in nurses, and she revealed ways in which
women and children in agricultural communities are exposed to harmful pesticide chemicals, for example. She has also consistently advocated for doing something about these findings — engaging in White House roundtables, Congressional briefings, and Environmental Protection Agency committees.
The journey to these achievements was not linear. McCauley persisted through failure, rejection and setbacks — as every true innovator does.
“At every turn, Dean McCauley supported new ideas and risk-taking," says Mutic. "She never dwelled on missed opportunities or failed projects. I supported her teams in the development of many proposals. Many didn’t get funded. She never wavered in her diligent, calm and positive approach.”
Step 5: Keep your feet on the ground
McCauley was raised in a rural agricultural community, and her life experiences have guided her approach as a scientist. She’s remained humble and curious, always listening first to those with whom she partners.
“She is successful because she leads with open ears, an open mind, and an open heart,” says Girasoles Project collaborator Joan Flocks, JD, MA, BS, emeritus faculty at the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
McCauley (back row, center) meets with fellow children’s environmental health researchers.
Step 6: Write
Science doesn’t stop with discovery. “Linda has always stressed that you don’t have real success in research unless you are getting results into the hands of the people who need it most,” says Carmen Marsit, PhD, professor of epidemiology at Emory’s Rollins School of Public Health.
Dean McCauley has found joy in sharing science through writing tailored to different stakeholder groups. She has been prolific, with over 200 publications spanning policy, clinician, scientific and public audiences. These publications have included reports of national significance on topics such as the future of primary care and justice for veterans exposed to toxic substances while serving our nation.
Her span of influence as a writer extends beyond her own work. “As a reluctant writer, I am deeply grateful for a mentor who brings wisdom, vision and creativity to the way she cultivates individual potential,” says Associate Clinical Professor Angela Haynes-Ferere 01MPH 08BSN 09MSN, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN. “Without her encouragement and guidance, I might still be sitting on the sidelines.”
Step 7: Pay it forward
Dean McCauley has spent a lifetime serving patients and communities. She has paid forward everything she has learned tenfold through education, mentorship and innovative programs designed to prepare the next generation of nurse scientists.
It’s time to return the gesture by protecting her legacy: Stand for science, write and speak your truth, stand firmly with one another, do not keep what you learn for yourself, and nurture the next generation.
Rose Hayes is director of engagement at the School of Nursing.
“An exemplary leader, per John Maxwell, is one who goes the second mile – caring more, risking more, dreaming more, inspiring more, and working more. Dean McCauley clearly goes that extra mile in all aspects of her leadership, influencing policy, clinical care, education, and nursing scientific research. As a dean, Linda used her position to call for reform, innovate nursing education with health practice leaders, champion health equity, and advance nursing workforce issues and access to care. Her scientific leadership as a nurse in environmental and occupational advances is without precedent.”
EILEEN M. SULLIVAN-MARX, PHD, RN, FAAN
Dean Emerita, New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing
Dean McCauley and students visit U.S. Rep. John Lewis (second from left) on Capitol Hill in 2013.
BEYOND FOUR WALLS
McCauley’s Legacy in Nursing Education
Under Dean Linda McCauley’s leadership, the Emory School of Nursing rose from No. 26 to the No. 1 nursing school in the nation for both undergraduate and graduate programs. This distinction reflects the dedication of countless individuals, yet Dean McCauley’s service to the profession has played a pivotal role.
nation, and the overall effectiveness of our health care delivery system.”
Her leadership in nursing education, Burke continues, has been about broadening the scope of responsibility for educators so they may develop the workforce of the future. “Linda has urged educators to consider nursing as having shared challenges beyond the walls of any one school,” she says.
McCauley has consistently advocated for the future of nursing and health care at the national level. She has been an active leader in the National Academy of Medicine since 2009, most recently serving on its Governing Council.
She understands the power of coalition building, especially on national issues that no one leader can solve alone. She co-leads a national Council of Deans that meets regularly to address some of the most pressing challenges facing nursing schools and their practice partners today.
“Linda is a force of nature,” continues Burke. “Her legacy is one of testing limits — not only in her role as dean, but also in her role at the National Academy of Medicine and with the profession of nursing at large. She has been willing to ask questions about what works and what doesn’t.”
In 2022, Burke partnered with McCauley on the Business Case for Nursing Summit, held in collaboration with Emory’s Goizueta Business School. Held in the wake of COVID-19, when health systems faced severe financial strain from widespread nursing resignations, the summit convened national health leaders to address these challenges. The summit — and the initiatives that have followed — demonstrated the power of coalition-building and the distinctive academic-practice partnership between the Emory School of Nursing and Emory Healthcare.
The Emory Nursing academic-practice partnership, formed during the Ebola crisis, has
STORY BY ROSE HAYES
As dean, she has taken a system-level view of her position as a servant leader, thinking not only about what is right for the school but also for the nursing profession. This view has positioned her as someone other deans and health system leaders can turn to for guidance and support in navigating issues affecting us all.
“She’s never been constrained by her affiliation or discipline,” says Sheila Burke, RN, MPA, FAAN, strategic adviser for Baker Donelson and one of McCauley’s collaborators. “Rather, she thinks broadly about the state of nursing education, the health of the
Emory and Addis Ababa University representatives at a 2015 signing ceremony at the School of Nursing to establish a PhD program in nursing research at AAU.
“Being a student at the No. 1 nursing school that Dean McCauley helped build has been incredibly inspiring. Her leadership has opened doors for students like me to grow, feel supported, and dream bigger about the kind of nurse I can become. Knowing that I’m part of her legacy motivates me to carry forward the values of excellence and compassion she has instilled in this community.”
KWEKU MENSAH
Graduating Master of Nursing student, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
allowed the school and health system to withstand historic challenges together. Under the joint leadership of Dean McCauley and Emory Healthcare Chief Nurse Executive Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, the two organizations have been able to pool resources, people power, knowledge, and data to design innovative solutions in nursing education and practice.
Emory's academic-practice partnership is considered a gold standard, having won the 2019 Academic-Practice Partnership Award from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
“Linda’s yardstick for her vision is what is best for the profession,” Pappas says.
Under Dean McCauley’s leadership, the school has pioneered numerous innovative programs that are considered models of nursing education. Examples include the first nursing PhD program in Ethiopia, started in partnership with Addis Ababa University (AAU) in 2015.
“The Emory-AAU PhD in Nursing Program has produced much-needed nurse researchers and educators to address population health needs, advance nursing research, create professional infrastructure, and train future nurse leaders in Ethiopia,” says Rebecca Gary, RN, PhD, FAHA, FAAN, director of the Ethiopian PhD collaboration. “The results of this program will reverberate for years to come.”
Rose Hayes is director of engagement at the School of Nursing.
A LETTER FROM
The Dean’s Advisory Board
Throughout her tenure, Dean McCauley led the school through an era of remarkable achievement. But what sets Dean McCauley apart is her ability to inspire transformation. She encouraged all who worked with her to think boldly, take risks, and achieve more than they imagined possible. She sought perspectives from across the nursing and health care community, always striving to make thoughtful and informed decisions. Her keen eye for opportunities, relentless pursuit of innovation, and unwavering passion for nursing have left an indelible mark on the school and the profession.
Serving on the Dean’s Advisory Board has been a privilege. Dean McCauley invited us into her creative process, often using us as a sounding board for her boldest ideas. She created an environment where collaboration flourished and each member felt valued for their contributions. Many of us have served on advisory boards before, but rarely have we encountered one where meetings were so energizing, joyful and impactful.
As alumni, colleagues and friends of the school, we are deeply grateful for the legacy she leaves behind. Our work together gave us a front-row seat to the school’s rise to national prominence, fueled by her vision, advocacy of faculty excellence, and unwavering support of innovation. Her bold vision, entrepreneurial spirit, and steadfast commitment to mission and values will continue to shape the school and the nursing profession for generations.
Dean McCauley has truly been the premier dean of the nation’s premier nursing school. It has been our honor to serve alongside her, witness her leadership, and celebrate the lasting impact of her work.
With admiration and gratitude,
Dean’s Advisory Board, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
John Coffin, MBA
Kathy Driscoll, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, CCM
Eddie Gammill 01BSN 05MSN PhD
Sally Hale 80MN
Connie Hampton, DNP
Zoher Kapasi 06EMBA, PhD, PT, FAPTA
Nancy Langston 72MN, PhD, RN, FAAN
Marilyn Margolis 89MN, RN, NEA-BC
David Martin, RN
Mary McCabe 72BSN, RN, MA
Tim Porter O’Grady, DM, EdD, ScD(h), APRN, FAAN, FACCWS
Sharon Pappas, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
William Sage, MD, JD
Susan Shapiro, PhD, RN, FAAN
Charlotte Weaver, PhD, RN
Jim Wetrich 09EMBA, MHA, LFACHE, PCC
Dean’s Advisory Board members William Sage, Mary McCabe, and Jim Wetrich with his wife, Nancy, at the Emory Nursing Learning Center opening celebration.
NEWS BRIEFS FROM THE NELL HODGSON WOODRUFF SCHOOL OF NURSING
HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS
U.S. News ranks BSN program among best for fifth year
Once again, the school’s Bachelor of Science (BSN) program is among the best in the nation!
In the latest ranking released by U.S. News & World Report in September, our BSN program is No. 2 in the country, sharing the honor with the University of Pennsylvania. This recognition joins our No. 1 master’s program ranking and our No. 8 Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranking, reinforcing our reputation as a national leader across all levels of nursing education.
Since U.S. News began ranking undergraduate programs five years ago, the school has consistently been ranked in the top five.
“We are thrilled to have our programs ranked among the best in the nation,” says Dean Linda McCauley. “Being a highly ranked institution highlights our commitment to preparing our students to be the best and brightest nurse leaders, and I’m grateful to our community, whose work led to this honor.”
School named National League for Nursing Center of Excellence
The School of Nursing has been named a 2025 Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN) –placing Emory among just 21 nursing programs nationwide.
Emory received its 2025 designation for advancing the science of nursing education, reflecting the school’s efforts in integrating social determinants of health into its curriculum, researching evidence-based teaching practices, offering a research-focused BSN honors program, measuring learning outcomes in simulationbased education, advancing technology-mediated instruction, supporting PhD students with evidence-based education strategies, engaging DNP students in nurse anesthesia simulation research, and involving students in AI-driven nursing research.
KENNEDY GOODEN
Dean McCauley (center) celebrates the school’s No. 1 master’s degree ranking with Master of Nursing students (from left) Maya Aban, Kweku Mensah, Dani Fasan, and Kristin Hall.
American Academy of Nursing includes 16 Emory inductees
Congratulations to the 16 members of the Emory community who have been inducted into the American Academy of Nursing 2025 Class of Fellows — recognized as one of the highest honors in nursing and awarded for substantial contributions to health care.
Jennifer Adamski, DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FCCM, FAAN
Assistant Dean of Professional Programs, Case Western Reserve
University Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (immediate-past Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program Director, School of Nursing)
Curry Bordelon 07MN, DNP, MBA, CRNP, NNP-BC, CPNP-AC, CNE, ANEF, FNAP, FAAN
Alumnus, School of Nursing
Associate Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing
Brittany Butts 16PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing Alumna, Laney Graduate School
Nancye Feistritzer, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN
Vice President, Center for Care Delivery and Innovation, Emory Healthcare
Adjunct Professor, School of Nursing
Ellen Harvey 88MN, DNP, APRN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, TCRN, SCRN, FCCM, FCNS, FAAN
Alumna, School of Nursing
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Carilion Clinic, Roanoke, Va.
Angela Haynes-Ferere 01MPH 08BSN 09MSN, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Clinical Professor and Distance Accelerated BSN Program Director, School of Nursing
Alumna, School of Nursing and Rollins School of Public Health
Kay Kennedy 80Ox 82BSN 90MN, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, FAAN
Alumna and Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing CEO, uLeadership, Atlanta
Andrea Knopp 93MSN 93MPH, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN
Alumna, School of Nursing and Rollins School of Public Health
Professor and Associate Director of Graduate Programs, James Madison University School of Nursing
Heather Meissen, DNP, ACNP, FCCM, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Clinical Professor and Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse
Practitioner Program Director, School of Nursing
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Emory University Hospital
Jennifer Moon 09MPH, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, FAAN
Alumna, Rollins School of Public Health
Chief Nurse Officer, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
Anita Rich 81BSN, DNP, RN, CHFN, CDCES, CGNC, FAAN
Senior Clinical Instructor and Alumna, School of Nursing President, Nurses Heart to Heart, Atlanta
“I am incredibly proud to see 16 members of the Emory community receive this prestigious recognition. These individuals exemplify the best of Emory – advancing science, shaping policy, and transforming care.” — DEAN LINDA MCCAULEY
Bethany Robertson 92MN, DNP, CNM, FNAP, FAAN
Alumna and Clinical Professor, School of Nursing
Clinical Executive, Wolters Kluwer Health
Trisha Sheridan, DNP, WHNP-BC, SANE-A, SANE-P, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Clinical Professor, School of Nursing
Athena D. F. Sherman, PhD, PHN, RN, CNE, FAAN
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing
LeeAnna Spiva 99BSN 02MSN, PhD, RN, FAAN
Alumna and Associate Clinical Professor, School of Nursing
Vice President for Academic Integration and Partnerships, Emory Healthcare
Paula Tucker 10MSN 24PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, ENP-C, FAANP, FAAN
Associate Clinical Professor and Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Program Director, School of Nursing
Alumna, School of Nursing and Laney Graduate School
Emory Integrated Memory Care colleagues gather at their newly renovated space in northeast Atlanta last fall.
Emory Integrated Memory Care (IMC) was also recognized by the American Academy of Nursing as an Edge Runner, a signature designation celebrating nurse-led models that reduce costs, improve care quality, advance health equity, and elevate patient satisfaction. A collaboration between the School of Nursing and Emory Healthcare, IMC provides nurse-led primary care for people with dementia through a practice in northeast Atlanta and at select Atlanta-area senior living communities.
New inductees Brittany Butts and Anita Rich (third and fourth from left) celebrate with Emory FAANs (from left) Desiree Clement, Kim Dupree Jones, and Sandi Dunbar at the induction ceremony in October.
Faculty members amass impressive fellowships
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners named Assistant Clinical Professor Lori Modly 11MSN 19DNP, RN, CPNP-PC, FAANP, and Associate Clinical Professor Quyen Phan 03MSN, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, to its 2025 Class of Fellows. Modly and Phan were among 51 nurse practitioner leaders nationwide selected for this recognition, which celebrates NPs for their contributions to education, policy, clinical practice, and research.
National Academies of Practice
Associate Clinical Professor Hope Haynes Bussenius 93MSN, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, FNAP, was tapped as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP) for her work in advancing interprofessional health care. Bussenius was selected for NAP’s Nursing Academy. A pioneer in health technology, Bussenius has developed apps and initiatives addressing pediatric hypertension and advancing health equity. She has also created apps for oral health, maternal blood pressure, strokes, and lymphatic filariasis.
National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education
Associate Clinical Professor LisaMarie Wands, PhD, RN, FNAP, CHSE-A, CNE, ANEF, has been named a National League for Nursing Academy of Nursing Education Fellow. She is one of 23 individuals honored for contributions to nursing education leadership, innovation, research and policy. Wands has been a faculty member since 2014, specializing in and advancing simulation-based education and interprofessional learning.
RESEARCH
Latest awards address youth behavioral health, home dialysis
This fall, the School of Nursing has received $5.9 million in federal funding for research projects to bolster the Georgia youth behavioral health workforce and optimize the experience of home dialysis patients and their caregivers.
The U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration awarded a $2 million grant for a program to equip trainees to become behavioral health paraprofessionals through community-based partnerships. Led by Associate Clinical Professor Quyen Phan 03MSN, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP, FAAN, the program aims to expand the current youth behavioral health workforce in Georgia and spark interest in long-term behavioral health careers.
Subject matter experts from the school and its collaborators will lead online and in-person training sessions, including simulations, focused on supporting children, youth, and young adults in high-need communities.
The Technical College System of Georgia will recruit students to participate in the program, and community partners will provide hands-on field placements.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases awarded Professor Mi-Kyung Song, PhD, RN, FAAN, a $3.9 million grant to lead a longitudinal study on home dialysis patients and their family caregivers
While patients choose home dialysis for its potential benefits, such as flexibility, independence, and compatibility with work and travel, many discontinue the treatment modality within two years. Patients must manage complex dialysis procedures while dealing with other health conditions, yet little is known about the day-to-day realities these patients and their families face.
The multisite study, conducted in collaboration with the University of Virginia and the University of California, San Francisco, will follow patient-caregiver pairs over time to better understand how patients and families navigate home dialysis therapy so that data-driven interventions can be developed to optimize the home dialysis experience.
School trains Puerto Rico’s first acute care NPs
In July, the School of Nursing welcomed four post-graduate certificate acute care nurse practitioners (NP) students from Puerto Rico for intensives — training that will help them on their journey to become the first acute care NPs on the island.
The training was led by acute care faculty member Julie Hortman 01MSN, RN, ANP-C, ACNP-C, with additional instruction from Emily Sayilgan 09MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, a clinical instructor originally from Puerto Rico. Sayilgan facilitated a meaningful discussion with the students about the long-term impact of their training on health care delivery across Puerto Rico.
This initiative was made possible through a partnership with the VA system in Puerto Rico, where physician William Rodriguez, MD, MACP, ATSF, identified a gap in acute and critical care expertise. Recognizing the vital role of nurse practitioners in addressing this need, Rodriguez collaborated with the School of Nursing to launch this training pathway.
Camille Brockett-Walker 07MSN, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, AGACNP-BC, associate professor and assistant dean for faculty recruitment, development and excellence, was instrumental in leading the partnership and coordinating the launch of the program, and Heather Meissen, DNP, ACNP, FCCM, FAANP, FAAN, associate clinical professor and adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner program director, also played a role in developing and supporting the partnership.
This effort highlights the school’s growing impact and opens the door to future collaborations to strengthen advanced clinical training pipelines between Puerto Rico and the school.
Celebrating Graduates
During the 2024-2025 academic year, the School of Nursing celebrated 746 graduates across three commencements, each joining a legacy of leadership and service. At a time of national nursing shortages, they are stepping up as advocates and leaders — defined by care, confidence and compassion. Above all, they embody what it means to be an Emory Nurse: excellence, service and heart. Congratulations, graduates!
Post-graduate certificate acute care NP student Angela Feliciano Caraballo, clinical instructor Emily Sayilgan, students Diana Figueroa and Edgard Reyes Cartagena, and Assistant Dean Camille BrockettWalker take a quick break during the intensives.
“I am truly honored to contribute to educating future acute care NPs in Puerto Rico. As the island faces a growing aging population and an increasing demand for highly trained medical professionals to care for the critically ill, the integration of these NPs into ICU teams will ensure that patients receive expert, compassionate care.”
— CLINICAL INSTRUCTOR AND PUERTO RICO NATIVE EMILY SAYILGAN
Graduates preserve the moment in photos before the August 2025 ceremony.
Scenes from Convocation
New Master of Nursing and BSN students officially kicked off the academic year with Convocation on Sept. 5, featuring adjunct faculty member Tim Cunningham, DrPH, MSN, RN, FAAN, program director for the Task Force for Global Health’s Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics. In his keynote address, Cunningham invited students to embrace compassion early in their nursing journey, connecting their work with meaning and determination. Students Katya Yoo and Kweku Mensah and Senior Associate Dean for Enrollment, Student Affairs, and Organizational Engagement Lisa Muirhead, DNP, APRN-BC, ANP, FAANP, FAAN, also welcomed the students.
director Terri
student
program director Helen Baker, convocation speaker Tim Cunningham, MN student Kweku Mensah, Senior Associate Dean Lisa Muirhead, and new faculty member Irene Njuguna enjoy a moment after convocation.
Jowers Lecture features health informatics expert Dykes
The School of Nursing held its annual David C. Jowers Lecture on Sept. 11, featuring patient safety and health informatics trailblazer Patricia C. Dykes, PhD, MA, RN, FAAN, FACMI, FIAHSI.
Dykes, a senior scientist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, spoke on the topic, “From Insight to Impact: Advancing Patient Safety with Health Informatics.”
Dykes brought a wealth of expertise and innovation to the conversation around how data-driven insights can be transformed into patient safety improvements. As board chair of the American Medical Informatics Association, she is widely recognized for leading the development of the Fall TIPS program, a nationally adopted model for fall prevention, and for her contributions to clinical decision-support systems that enhance safety across diverse care settings.
Held each year to honor the life and legacy of David C. Jowers, an inspiring corporate and environmental advocacy leader, the lecture brings some of nursing and health care’s brightest minds to share their insights with the Emory Nursing community.
(From left) Master of Nursing program
Ades, BSN
Katya Yoo, BSN Junior
Cunningham addresses the students.
Students show their school pride at the photo booth and enjoy post-event refreshments.
The Lillian Carter Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility has launched a new lecture series on international research in nursing.
The Global Nursing Research Lecture started in February, featuring keynote speaker Laron Nelson, PhD, RN, FNP, FNAP, FNYAM, FAAN, of the Yale School of Nursing, who spoke on the future of sustainable, integrated, value-based research in global health, and continued in September with Christopher Lee, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, FHFSA, from Boston College’s William F. Connell School of Nursing, who spoke on efforts to increase the footprint of global nursing science.
“This series is a platform for distinguished thought leaders in nursing and allied fields to share their firsthand experiences, offer insights on building global research programs, and inspire our students and faculty to engage in global health research,” says Jacob Kariuki, PhD, RN, AGNP-BC, FAHA, assistant director for research at the Lillian Carter Center. “We hope these lectures spark new interests, foster collaboration, and open doors to strategic partnerships that drive meaningful change.”
Lillian Carter Center kicks off global nursing research lecture
Global Nursing Research Lecturer Christopher Lee shares a moment with Lillian Carter Center administrators Tricia Benson, Jacob Kariuki and Elizabeth Downes after the lecture.
Alumni News
Emory 2O36 raises $60 million for school
The School of Nursing achieved historic highs during Emory’s 2O36 fundraising campaign, which ended on Aug. 31.
Focused on a vision of what Emory could be in 2036, the school’s bicentennial year, the multi-year campaign is the most consequential fundraising effort in Emory history across all academic units, including the School of Nursing, which raised over $60 million. Notable gifts received during the campaign include:
• $3.35 million from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF to support robust scholarship programs, including an initiative in development for Atlanta-area community college students to earn bachelor’s and doctoral nursing degrees at Emory and pursue careers in nursing research and education.
• $1.1 million anonymous donation to support the work of Emory Integrated Memory Care, a nurse-led primary care clinic for patients with dementia, carried out in partnership with Emory Healthcare
• $1 million from Patti Thomas 95MSN, FNP, ENP, to support scholarships
• More than $900,000 from the Liz Blake Giving Fund for the Blake Scholars Program, which provides full tuition for nurse practitioners pursuing a psychiatric mental health nursing post-graduate certificate and seeking to work with children and youth
With 2O36 gifts, the school created new scholarships, fellowships, student and faculty awards, immersive student learning, and an assistance fund to help students overcome unexpected barriers to their educational experience. Gifts also played a pivotal role in creating the Emory Nursing Learning Center.
“The support of our donors fuels our success. Never was that more apparent than during our 2O36 campaign. I am forever grateful for their generosity, which has helped build a legacy to carry the school forward.”
— DEAN LINDA MCCAULEY
THURSDAY, FEB. 26
Save the Date: A Night to Celebrate Nursing Excellence
Mark your calendars for a special evening of recognition at the School of Nursing Award Celebration on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Emory’s Miller Ward Alumni House. Join fellow alumni, faculty and friends as we gather over dinner to honor the 2026 Nurses’ Alumni Association Award Recipients and celebrate the dedication of our alumni who have served at Emory Healthcare for 30 years or more. For more information, contact Jayme Hogan-Yarbro at 731234-0730 or jhogany@emory.edu.
2025 alumni award recipients enjoy a moment together.
Meet Philip Brooks, Managing Senior Director of Development
Since starting his role in January, Philip Brooks has seen his work not just as a job, but a bridge — connecting the passions of alumni and donors with the evolving needs of the school.
His work is multifaceted, guiding fundraising and alumni engagement efforts and collaborating with school leaders to set philanthropic priorities. Whether establishing scholarship endowments, professorships, or research support, Brooks always asks, “How can we align purpose with possibility?”
Brooks’ journey into fundraising wasn’t linear. As a UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate, he studied biology, exercise, and sports science, with a surprising twist — a minor in Renaissance art history. Initially drawn to sports medicine, he pivoted into college athletics administration, where he discovered his love for higher education philanthropy.
“I was inspired by the transformational difference donors were making for students, and I have been dedicated to the profession ever since,” he recalls.
Before joining the School of Nursing, Brooks worked in development positions at UNC-Chapel Hill, the University of South Carolina, and the Emory College of Arts and Sciences, where he served as lead development director. His personal experiences with family health challenges and his admiration for nurses as the backbone of the health care system made the transition to nursing development a natural and meaningful step.
“When I heard of the opportunity at the School of Nursing, I immediately jumped at it,” he says. “I felt that the momentum I could be part of at the nation’s No. 1 nursing school was not something I could pass up.”
Brooks emphasizes that a robust giving program is essential to the school’s continued excellence. It enables the school to recruit top-tier students and faculty, support groundbreaking research, and ensure a diverse and inclusive learning environment.
“Philanthropy allows us to reduce financial barriers for students and empower faculty to pursue game-changing research,” he says. “It’s about sustaining excellence and driving innovation.”
Brooks encourages alumni and friends to engage with the school in ways that resonate personally, such as starting a scholarship, supporting faculty research, mentoring students, or joining the Nurses’ Alumni Association board.
“We’re a small but mighty team and want to engage you with the school the way that makes the most sense for you,” he says.
Interested in learning more? Contact Brooks at philip.brooks@emory.edu.
“I work with alumni and friends to align their goals with those of the school. It’s fulfilling to see how generosity can transform lives – both for our students and the broader nursing profession.”
— PHILIP BROOKS
Share Your News With Us
Please send your news and latest contact information to alumni@nursing.emory.edu or visit engage.emory.edu/updateinfo.
Blake Scholars reception thanks partners, highlights students
In September, the School of Nursing hosted a special celebration honoring the Blake Scholars Program, bringing together scholars and the visionary partners who helped turn this transformative initiative into reality.
Launched in 2023, the Blake Scholars Program provides full tuition support for nurse practitioners enrolled in the school’s postgraduate certificate program in psychiatric mental health nursing, with a focus on child and adolescent behavioral and mental health, in partnership with Children’s Hospital of Atlanta.
As mental health and substance use disorders are among the leading causes of disease burden in the U.S., this program is a timely, direct response to the growing crisis. For recent graduate Karen Amos, NP, the program was key to her becoming a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. With her post-graduate certificate in hand, she has launched her own practice, blending mental health and family care with a special emphasis on supporting children and families affected by autism.
continue the program’s mission to strengthen mental health care for young people.
As a nurse practitioner working in college health, fellow graduate Porsche Patil, NP, witnessed first-hand the growing need for accessible, compassionate mental health care, especially among young people. “I wanted to be part of the solution, but the financial burden of returning to school was a real barrier,” she says. “This scholarship removed that obstacle and gave me the push I needed to move forward.”
The event highlighted the achievements of Patil, Amos and other members of the program’s first two graduating cohorts. It also welcomed the newest group of Blake Scholars, who
Among those speaking at the celebration were Dorothy Jordan 82MN, DNP, APRN, PMHNP-BC, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, recently retired director of the school’s psychiatric mental health NP specialty; John Constantino, MD, chief of behavioral and mental health at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, a vital supporter of the initiative; and Liz Blake, JD, of the Liz Blake Giving Fund, whose generosity was instrumental in launching the program.
Dean Linda McCauley also offered remarks, recognizing these partners’ invaluable contributions. She also acknowledged Kristen Holder 00BSN 01MSN, DrPH, PMHNP-BC, the school’s new psychiatric mental health NP specialty director, and Aparna Kumar, PhD, MSN, MPH, MA, associate clinical professor with the school and the Carter Center, who will co-lead the program as Jordan transitions into retirement.
Schnellinger and Emily Klingman, and Dean Linda McCauley.
The Blake Scholars Program is a response to the growing mental health crisis among children and adolescents — providing tuition support to NPs seeking a post-graduate certificate in psychiatric mental health nursing.
(Front row) Katie Daniel of Children’s, Aparna Kumar and Kristen Holder of Emory, (second row) John Constantino and Kayla Mays of Children’s, Liz Blake, Blake Scholar Porsche Patil, Dorothy Jordan of Emory, (third row) Blake Scholars Jazmín Abuaf, Shay Shipman, Ayana Thornton, Kelly
A Message from the President
COLLEEN CLOSSON 18BSN, RN, PRESIDENT, NURSES’ ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
As I assume my role as president of the Nurses’ Alumni Association, I am reflecting a lot on the importance of relationships. Our relationships shape who we are in many ways, and my goal during my tenure is to foster these relationships and strengthen the culture of connection, collaboration and mentorship among Emory nursing alumni.
During my time on the New Graduate (now Student to Alumni) Committee, the Advancement and Alumni Engagement office and I worked to reimagine a mentorship program, establishing connections among students and alumni in the process. As we reinvigorate this program, we hope to see it grow and inspire alumni to give of themselves to future nurse leaders.
Emory’s alumni network is truly something to be proud of, and as our numbers grow, the concept of mentorship should, too. How can we motivate high schoolers to view nursing as worth pursuing? How can we reignite the passion of a mid-career nurse who knows that his next job may be a bit of a leap, but something that he needs to do?
This is the beauty of connection, collaboration and mentorship. By working together and harnessing our knowledge and abilities, we can do powerful things that showcase our teamwork and give us perspective on our next steps. I am thrilled to be in this role, and I look forward to what we can do together for the nursing profession, the University, and each other.
Q&A WITH ALUMNI
Voices from the Field
Mark Lee 19BSN, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CMSRN Administrative Fellow, Emory Healthcare
What drew you to nursing as a career?
I became a nurse because nursing is, without a doubt, a “people” profession. It is a profession where skill and passion come together to advance others. Practicing at Emory Healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic, I grew immensely as a clinical nurse, colleague, and aspiring leader.
Why did you come to Emory School of Nursing?
I came to Emory because I wanted to become the very best nurse I could be. When I set foot on campus, it was immediately clear that the school is a place of excellence. You can feel that in our classes, our clinicals, and our work in the community.
What was your favorite class/activity while at the school? Clinicals were a time when concepts came to life for me, and I always enjoyed those days the most. Due to the strong partnership between Emory University and Emory Healthcare, I did almost all my rotations at Emory Healthcare hospitals and ambulatory sites. Traveling across different parts of the system was a great introduction to patient care and health care systems thinking.
Where do you work and what is your role?
I started my journey in medical-surgical nursing. Medicalsurgical nursing gives a strong foundation that is hard to replicate in other settings. This past year, I had the opportunity to become an administrative fellow at Emory Healthcare, which involves working with senior leaders and teams across the Emory Healthcare system on hospital and clinic operations. Each team has taught me something new and broadened my perspective as a nurse and professional.
How did the School of Nursing prepare you for your career? I remember the day Dean McCauley came to welcome our class to the School of Nursing. She spoke passionately about our school’s values and impressed upon us that Emory nurses are leaders. That conversation has stayed with me. I strive to lead with heart in all that I do.
A Lifetime of Nursing Is Now a Legacy of Care
“Inspired by my educational experience at Emory, I’m doing my part to give back. I have firsthand knowledge of the caliber and potential of our students, and the future is indeed bright!”
TURN YOUR PASSION INTO A LEGACY GIFT
Leslie Jeter 17DNP made a bequest to invest in the next generation of nurses. The passion that sparked her decades-long career as a nurse anesthetist began with a visit to the local hospital for career week when she was in high school. She will establish the Leslie Ann Jeter Nursing Scholarship and the Elizabeth Burt Jeter Nursing Scholarship to support future nurse anesthesia students. Her gift will empower a new generation of nurses to become highly skilled, confident, and deeply committed to patient care.
To learn how to include Emory in your estate plans, visit giftplanning.emory.edu | 404.727.8875
Graduates soak in the moment during commencement exercises in August. They are among 746 graduates who graduated during the 2024-2025 academic year. (See story, page 29.)