New dean for School of Nursing

The Columbia University School of Nursing is under new management, University President Lee Bollinger announced Tuesday.

Dr. Bobbie Berkowitz will be taking over the nursing school, Bollinger said in an email sent out to the University. She will be taking over from Dr. Mary O’Neil Mundinger, who has served as dean for 24 years.

Mundinger established two doctoral degree programs: the Doctor of Nursing Practice and the Doctor of Nursing Science PhD.

Berkowitz’s appointment will be effective Sept. 1.

She hails from the University of Washington, where she is an Alumni Endowed Professor of Nursing and an adjunct professor in the School of Public Health. Before joining the staff at the University of Washington, Berkowitz served as the deputy secretary in the Washington State Department of Health. She has also written books on public health nursing leadership, nursing management, and communications within health care organizations.