A MESSAGE FROM THE INTERIM DEAN In the last 18 months, we have witnessed and experienced a shifting landscape on many fronts. There have been changes in school and university leadership; we have seen faculty and staff come and go; many nurses have left the profession due to burnout; and the healthcare system continues to struggle under the weight of the nursing shortage, structural racism, and inequity. And through it all, the <strong>GW</strong> School of <strong>Nursing</strong> and its community of learners, educators, alumni, and supporters, have weathered the storm buoyed by an adherence to the guiding principles outlined in the school’s mission and vision, and three-year strategic plan (pages 36-38). The faculty and staff have repeatedly demonstrated excellence by delivering world-class learning experiences, clinical pedigree, research prowess, leadership acumen, and a determination to create a more diverse and equitable environment for learning and working. During this period of intense change, the <strong>GW</strong> School of <strong>Nursing</strong> has continued to rise to the occasion by maintaining superior U.S. News & World <strong>Report</strong> rankings, as you’ll see on page 7. In January, the school earned a #8 ranking for Best Online Master’s in <strong>Nursing</strong> Program – the fifth year in a row it has ranked in the top 10. In March, the school earned top 30 rankings for Best Graduate <strong>Nursing</strong> Programs for its Master’s degrees (#27) and Doctoral degrees (#30). Underpinning these are several top-10 rankings for specialty tracks and programs for veterans (#3 for online Master’s). While we are certainly proud of these rankings, we are even more proud of the accomplishments of our students (pages 10-12) and faculty (pages 17-21) who have won numerous awards and recognition. A highlight from May <strong>2022</strong> was seeing <strong>GW</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong>’s first PhD graduate, Dr. Sarah Beebe, cross the stage during commencement on the National Mall (page 12). Dr. Beebe’s academic and research excellence have set the bar for her PhD colleagues, and exemplify the kind of research and scholarly excellence that we’ve come to expect from faculty and students at <strong>GW</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong> (pages 30-35). I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the ongoing importance of the generous gifts from our alumni and donors. By giving to <strong>GW</strong> <strong>Nursing</strong>, they are making it possible for more students than ever to receive the financial support they need to make nursing a reality, and to make a difference in the lives of patients everywhere. As we enter 2023, our future as a school is ever bright. The arrival of Dean Mei R. Fu signals a new era for the <strong>GW</strong> School of <strong>Nursing</strong> – one filled with optimism and renewed determination to advance the school as a premium institute where we will educate transformative nurse leaders to shape the future of healthcare. Raise High! Best, Pam Slaven-Lee, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP Interim Dean and Clinical Associate Professor The George Washington University School of <strong>Nursing</strong> 4 | The George Washington University School of <strong>Nursing</strong>
<strong>Annual</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2021</strong>–<strong>2022</strong> | 5