Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
[STK]
[IN] HEA MTC EDU HED
[SU] PER
-- WITH PHOTO -- TO EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND MEDICAL EDITORS:
National health care education leader Anne Bavier appointed UT
Arlington nursing dean
ARLINGTON, Texas, April 4, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The
University of Texas at Arlington has named Anne Bavier, a nationally
recognized health care leader who has held posts at top ranked
universities and at the National Institutes of Health, as the new dean
of the College of Nursing.
Bavier previously served as dean of the University of Connecticut
School of Nursing in Storrs, Conn. and also served as dean of the
nursing at Saint Xavier University in Chicago. She is president-elect
of the National League for Nursing, which includes more than 39,000
members.
"The UT Arlington College of Nursing is one of the most vibrant
nursing programs in the country and one known for its tradition of
excellence and ability to help fill critical needs in the health care
field," UT Arlington President Vistasp Karbhari said. "Dr. Bavier will
lead us into a new era of national recognition and influence as we
work together to improve health and the human condition across Texas
and around the world."
Bavier joins the University on Aug. 1, 2014.
As dean of the UT Arlington College of Nursing, Bavier will lead one
of the nation's largest and most successful nursing programs with a
current enrollment of nearly 12,000 undergraduate and graduate
students on campus and in online programs. More than 90 percent of UT
Arlington nursing graduates pass their initial state licensure exam on
their first attempt. The College boasts a 94-percent graduation rate.
College of Nursing faculty members are national leaders in the areas
of simulation in nursing education and emerging inter-professional
learning models. The College has been a leader in addressing the
state's expected nursing shortage through its expanded online degree
programs.
Bavier will oversee the merger of the UT Arlington's Department of
Kinesiology into the College of Nursing during the 2014-2015 academic
year. The combined college will include nearly 350 faculty members.
"It is an exciting undertaking to build on the remarkable achievements
UT Arlington has made in nursing and kinesiology to create a bold
future for a University destined to become a nationally recognized
research institution," Bavier said. "The College is poised to advance
the agenda rapidly, while maintaining the highest standards of rigor
in scientific research and educational offerings."
Jennifer Gray, an associate dean of nursing who served as interim
dean, said that Bavier's proven leadership will make her an asset for
the entire University.
"Dr. Bavier has an incredible commitment to improving public health by
supporting and enhancing outstanding educational programs," Gray said.
"The merger of the College of Nursing and the Department of
Kinesiology will bring amazing opportunities for collaboration and
growth, and she is the right leader to help us take full advantage of
what lies ahead."
Bavier earned her undergraduate degree in nursing from Duke University
and a Master of Nursing from Emory University, where she specialized
in oncology. She holds a doctoral degree from Duquesne University.
While dean of the School of Nursing in Connecticut, Bavier secured $14
million for capital projects, improved opportunities for clinical
faculty and launched new programs, including a full-semester study
abroad program for nurses. The University of Connecticut and Saint
Xavier University, where she served as dean from 2004 to 2007, have
been named National League for Nursing Centers of Excellence in
Nursing Education. That honor has gone to only 17 other universities
nationwide.
"Dr. Bavier has a history of supporting faculty to achieve their best
in the classroom and in their research fields," said Ronald
Elsenbaumer, UT Arlington provost and vice president for academic
affairs. "Her list of accomplishments and her role on the national
stage bring a level of prestige to the UT Arlington College of Nursing
that will help it reach new heights."
In addition to her experience in higher education, Bavier worked as a
program director in the National Institutes of Health's National
Cancer Institute and as deputy director of the Office of Research on
Women's Health in the National Institutes of Health. She has authored
or co-authored 40 publications, primarily focused on nursing education
and professional development and oncology nursing.
"Dr. Bavier is a talented academic leader with a demonstrated
commitment to excellence in research, teaching and service," said Mun
Y. Choi, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at
University of Connecticut. "I'm confident that Dr. Bavier will be able
to rapidly advance the College of Nursing at The University of Texas
at Arlington through strong, strategic initiatives and engagement in
scholarly research and support the innovative vision established by
President Karbhari."
Bavier has received numerous awards and honors. She is a fellow of the
American Academy of Nursing and the Institute of Medicine of Chicago
and was the first recipient of the Edith Moore Copeland Award for
Excellence in Creativity from Sigma Theta Tau International Honor
Society of Nursing. She also is the recipient of a Director's Award
from the National Institutes of Health, the agency's highest award,
for exceptional leadership in creating the Research Enhancement Awards
Program.
Kirk King, president of Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital, and
Lori Donovan, the hospital's chief nursing officer, both played
integral roles during the university's national search for the new
dean of nursing. King said they were impressed by Bavier's "strategic
vision for the university and her commitment to expanding its
influence in the community."
"She has a proven track record of engaging her stakeholders and
building collaborative relationships that lead to establishing a
nationally recognized academic program," King said. "We are excited
about the many new possibilities Anne will bring to both the academic
and healthcare community."
About UT Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research
institution and the second largest institution in The University of
Texas System. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked UT Arlington as
the seventh fastest-growing public research university in 2013. U.S.
News & World Report ranks UT Arlington fifth in the nation for
undergraduate diversity. Visit www.uta.edu to learn more.
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140404/DC99020 Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131118/MM19164-b
SOURCE The University of Texas at Arlington
-0- 04/04/2014
/CONTACT: Traci Peterson, tpeterso@uta.edu, 817-272-920, 817-521-5494
/Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140404/DC99020
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131118/MM19164-b
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
/Web Site: http://www.uta.edu/
CO: The University of Texas at Arlington
ST: Texas
IN: HEA MTC EDU HED
SU: PER
PRN
-- DC99020 --
0000 04/04/2014 22:38:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
