March 18, 2013 – Following a nationwide search, Susan Bakewell-Sachs Ph.D., R.N., A.P.R.N., B.C., has been named the new School of Nursing dean and vice president for nursing affairs for Oregon Health & Science University. Dr. Bakewell-Sachs will become the 11th School of Nursing dean in OHSU's history.
As dean, Dr. Bakewell-Sachs will oversee education, research and faculty practice at the school's Marquam Hill campus in Portland and each of its satellite campuses in Ashland, Monmouth, Klamath Falls and La Grande. She will also oversee the school's virtual online programs.
At OHSU, Dr. Bakewell-Sachs, will play a major role in the transformation of Oregon nursing education as state and federal health care reforms take place. These reforms will expand the role of nurses in the upcoming decade to meet the needs of the country's growing demand for care.
Dr. Bakewell-Sachs comes to OHSU from the College of New Jersey where she has most recently served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as the Carol Kuser Loser dean and professor of nursing at the College of New Jersey.
In addition to her university-based positions, Dr. Bakewell-Sachs has played an active role in the transformation of nursing education in her previous home state. She served as program director for the New Jersey Nursing Initiative, a program sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program actively addressed nursing shortage concerns and the need to evolve nursing education to meet the needs of the 21st century.
"In the course of my work with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's New Jersey Nursing Initiative and before that as dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Exercise Science at The College of New Jersey, I have paid close attention to the national landscape of nursing education, practice and research," said Dr. Bakewell-Sachs. "So, I come to the OHSU School of Nursing aware of its rich history and record of innovation. I am honored and thrilled to have this opportunity and look forward to joining the OHSU community and meeting more of its extraordinary people."
Prior to her administrative career, Dr. Bakewell-Sachs specialized in the care of preterm infants and published several books and medical journal articles on the topic. She obtained her bachelor of science in nursing degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. She obtained her certified nurse practitioner, masters and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing.
"Dr. Bakewell-Sachs is a national leader in nursing, and is just the kind of individual who can guide our school into the next era, especially as we embrace new models of care during health reform," said OHSU Provost Jeanette Mladenovic, M.D., M.B.A., M.A.C.P. "I know she will be a wonderful addition to our nursing community throughout the state. We are enormously please she has agreed to join OHSU."
Dr. Bakewell-Sachs will join OHSU in July.
