Nursing Scholar, Administrator Isenberg Appointed College of Nursing Dean

Marjorie A. Isenberg, an internationally noted nursing educator, researcher and administrator, has been appointed dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing.
Isenberg succeeds Suzanne Van Ort who is returning to her faculty position after serving as dean of the UA College of Nursing since 1994.

Dr. Van Ort also served as interim dean of the College of
Nursing from 1992-94 and has served on its faculty for more than 20 years.

"The opportunity to lead the faculty, students and alumni at the University of Arizona College of Nursing in meeting the health care challenges of the 21st century is indeed exhilarating," Isenberg said.

Isenberg was director of International Programs at the Wayne State University College of Nursing. Her international scholarship included research at the University of Maastricht, the Netherlands, and helping to establish the first doctoral program in nursing in Mexico at the University of Nuevo Leon in Monterrey.

At Wayne State, Isenberg was noted for her work to enhance undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral programs, and developing partnerships with the School of Medicine, the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and clinical partners to create interdisciplinary initiatives to prepare health care providers for underserved communities.

Isenberg has directed more than 20 doctoral candidates and earned the Wayne State University 1986 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her research interest is chronic illness and enhancing self-care abilities and performance among the chronically ill. Her work has expanded the knowledge base for nursing and provided new understanding and application of nursing theory to an international group of nurses and other health care providers.

She has a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's and a doctoral degree in nursing science from Boston University, and was inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 1989.

The UA College of Nursing, which is celebrating its 42nd anniversary this year, ranks sixth among 491 nursing programs in the nation and among the top 5 percent of graduate nursing programs offering a master's degree.

"Isenberg is a national leader in nursing and is an outstanding academic administrator, educator and scholar. We're confident she will lead our excellent College of nursing to even greater heights and achievements," said Dr. James E. Dalen, UA vice president for health sciences and dean of the College of Medicine.