SALLY LUNDEEN NAMED UWM SCHOOL OF NURSING DEAN

MILWAUKEE --Sally Lundeen has been named Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Lundeen, who has been serving as interim dean of the school since August 1999, was the clear choice for the position, according to Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher.

"Sally Lundeen personifies The Milwaukee Idea with her commitment to research and teaching and situating that commitment in the community," she said.

Vice Chancellor and Provost John Wanat echoed that sentiment.

"Dr. Lundeen's vision, reputation, experience, enthusiasm, and commitment to UWM combine to make her the perfect choice for the School of Nursing and for the University," he said. "Her dedication and plans to advance research, engagement, and nursing education will move us to the next level along each of those dimensions.

"From the advice I've received, it is very clear that Sally enjoys strong support from all sectors of the school and campus."

Lundeen, who has a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago, came to UWM in 1985 and was director of the school's nursing center from 1986 to 1995. From there she served as associate dean for practice, and as part of her responsibilities she oversaw four community nursing centers, the Center for Cultural Diversity and Health, and the continuing education program. She has also served as director of the Institute for Urban Health Partnerships, which she founded in 1996.

She is well known in Wisconsin and across the nation as a pioneer in the development of community nursing centers. Her work focuses on nursing centers as integrated models for the coordinated delivery of primary-care services, education, and research. She is particularly interested in developing strategies to improve the health outcomes of vulnerable populations.

Lundeen is in high demand as a consultant on projects related to community-based nursing, and has given more than 70 major presentations on community nursing centers in the U.S.

and abroad. In 1997 she received the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Educator Award from Gov. Tommy Thompson.

The School of Nursing is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year by doubling the number of students admitted to the nursing major from last year. That enrollment increase comes in the face of a much-publicized nursing shortage.

Dealing with increased enrollment will be a challenge, said Lundeen "but it's a good kind of problem to have."

The School's program currently ranks among the top programs in the country, with U.S. News and World Report ranking the graduate school in the ninth category (27th in the country).

UWM's School of Nursing has, from its beginning, been closely linked with the community, said Lundeen. "We were involved in community nursing and the development of community partnerships well before it became a trend. It's a nice feeling to be ahead of the parade."

The community nursing centers grew out of a campus-based center started in 1979. The center provided students with clinical learning opportunities while offering health promotion, counseling and support, and faculty research opportunities.

In 1987, the concept was expanded into the community with the establishment of a UWM Community Nursing Center at the Silver Spring Neighborhood Center. Since then, the School of Nursing, in partnership with community organizations, has developed community nursing centers at the House of Peace Community Center in Milwaukee (1990), the Shalom Center for the Homeless in Kenosha (1991), and the Pierce Elementary School (1996), a partnership with the Milwaukee Public Schools.

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