MU Provost Appoints Nursing Dean

June 12, 2008

Story Contact:  Christian Basi, (573) 882-4430, BasiC@missouri.edu

COLUMBIA, Mo. — University of Missouri Provost Brian Foster has announced that Judith Fitzgerald Miller, associate dean for graduate programs and research at the Marquette University College of Nursing, has been named dean of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1.

“Judith is very energetic and passionate about nursing,” Foster said. “She’s a visionary in the field, and she made a wonderful impression, not only with the nursing faculty, but with individuals throughout campus during her visits here. We’re looking forward to having her join us.”

Miller received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, her master’s degree in nursing from Marquette University and her doctorate in nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She joined Marquette University in 1971 and has served as a professor, associate dean for academic affairs, and interim dean of the Marquette College of Nursing.

“I’m thrilled to be coming to Mizzou,” Miller said. “This is a world-class university that affords the nursing faculty a wonderful interdisciplinary opportunity for their research. I’m very excited about where the school is situated in relation to health sciences research.”

Miller has studied how hope can benefit patients with chronic illnesses and help them remain positive. She also has conducted research on caring for the elderly who have dementia. She has received funding for her research from several organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the American Nurses’ Foundation and the Alzheimer’s Association.

“There is a tremendous amount of support for the school from the MU administration,” Miller said. “It is obvious that Dean Rose Porter’s leadership has put the school in a great place among its peers nationwide.”

Miller is a member of the several organizations, including the American Association of Public Health, the National Association of Boards of Health and is a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing. She also has received several awards for both teaching and research, including the American Nurses’ Association Eunice R. Cole Scholar Award, the Marquette University Teaching Excellence Award and the Sigma Theta Tau International Distinguished Lecturer Award. She also has been recognized as a distinguished scholar at Marquette University on more than 15 different occasions.

She has written three editions of her award winning book, Coping with Chronic Illness:  Overcoming Powerlessness.
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