Rush University is pleased to announce that Barbara Swanson, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been appointed as the next dean for Rush University College of Nursing. Swanson’s selection follows a nationwide search led by a comprehensive search committee. She will assume her role on Sunday, Jan. 3.
“With over three decades of experience in research and academia, Swanson will build upon the strong foundation and excellent national reputation of the College of Nursing,” says Julie Hoff, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, provost, Rush University. “I am excited to see her lead the college into its next era and strengthen its role as a driving force in the future of healthcare through high-quality education, innovative research and commitment to community.”
As dean of the College of Nursing, Swanson will be the key advocate for the College within the university and among national and international partners. She will continue to strengthen community relationships and look to expand the college’s influence on healthcare policy and practice. Swanson will steward faculty recruitment and retention, cultivate a high-performance and inclusive culture, focus on enrollment health and ensure operational alignment within the Rush system.
“I am honored to serve as the next dean of the College of Nursing,” says Swanson. “The College of Nursing has a history deeply rooted in transforming healthcare through innovation, academic excellence and commitment to community. I am excited to continue that tradition and build upon its foundation as a leader in education and quality care.”
Swanson has spent a majority of her career at Rush, currently serving as the associate dean for research in the College of Nursing and as a professor in the Department of Adult Health and Gerontological Nursing. She has previously served in many roles in the College of Nursing including assistant dean of Nursing Science Studies and director of the PhD in Nursing Science program.
Swanson is also nationally recognized for her research, specifically her work in the clinical care, immune function and nutritional therapies of populations living with HIV/AIDS. She has published more than 80 articles and book chapters and has served on several journal editorial boards. The impact of her research has spanned multiple disciplines and has made substantial contributions to improving the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Swanson completed her nursing diploma at Lutheran General School of Nursing in Park Ridge, Illinois and her bachelor’s degree at Elmhurst College in Elmhurst, Illinois. She then completed her master’s degree at Loyola University of Chicago and her PhD at Rush University. She was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing in 2011.
“This is an exciting moment for the College of Nursing as it continues its mission to advance health and invest in the next generation of nursing leaders,” says Robert S.D. Higgins, MD, MSHA, president, Rush University. “I look forward to the work Dr. Swanson will do as dean and the positive impact the College of Nursing will have at Rush, in our communities and throughout the nation.”