Contact:
Angela Go, 404-413-1083
Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions
ATLANTA – Georgia State University announces the formation of the new Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, effective July 1.
Previously, the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and the School of Health Professions were housed as separate entities within the College of Health and Human Sciences. Combining these schools presents opportunities for Georgia State University to increase interdisciplinary education, better preparing students for today’s health care challenges. Cecelia Gatson Grindel, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., professor of nursing, has been named the interim dean of the new school and a national search has been launched to hire the first permanent dean of the school.
"This change will help Georgia State continue to enhance contributions to the sciences, health and medical research, and education as set forth in our newly adopted strategic plan," says Risa Palm, Georgia State Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
In the past 40 years, the School of Nursing has prepared more than 5,000 nurses, nurse practitioners, educators and researchers to serve in Georgia and beyond. The school offers the Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science degree for advanced practice nurses, nurse informaticists, and nurse administrators, and is one of oldest schools state-wide to offer a Ph.D.
The new school also offers a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in nutrition and respiratory therapy as well as a Doctor of Physical Therapy (D.P.T.) degree. Combined, these programs have graduated more than 3,000 health care professionals. The physical therapy program is the oldest program in Georgia and the respiratory therapy program is the largest in the state. These programs, along with the nutrition program, typically boast 90 percent or higher pass rates on the required professional registration examinations and hold pass rate averages that are 15 percent to 20 percent higher than the national average.
In 2003, the school was named for Mrs. Byrdine F. Lewis, a career bedside nurse and the mother of Kenneth Lewis, former CEO and president of Bank of America.
For more information about the Byrdine F. Lewis School of Nursing and Health Professions, please visit http://snhp.gsu.edu.
July 1, 2011