Janet Cuddigan, Ph.D., has been named acting dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing effective July 1. Dr. Cuddigan is an associate professor of nursing and chair of the college’s Adult Health & Illness Department.
Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., dean of the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing for nearly eight years, will retire on June 30.
“Dr. Cuddigan was recommended by Dr. Tilden for the acting deanship,” said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor. “She has been on the faculty for over 15 years and has considerable experience and expertise that will be essential during her tenure as acting dean. I am fully confident that she will do an exceptional job during this interim period to advance the College of Nursing agenda.”
Dr. Cuddigan will lead the college until a national search for Dr. Tilden’s replacement is complete.
“The college has undergone tremendous growth with Dean Tilden’s leadership and through the dedication and hard work of the faculty and staff," Dr. Cuddigan said. "I look forward to working with an outstanding nursing faculty and staff to sustain our momentum during this time of transition."
A native of Omaha, Dr. Cuddigan began her academic nursing career in 1979 at the Creighton University School of Nursing where she served as instructor then assistant professor. She joined UNMC in 1995 as a nurse specialist and has held various titles. She completed her post doctoral fellowship at the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers in Iowa City, Iowa, and Omaha.
An expert in pressure ulcers, she has conducted extensive research, has written many articles and book chapters and made hundreds of presentations on the topic as well as serving as a consultant. She has served as treasurer and vice president of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, co-chair of the International Pressure Ulcer Guideline Development Panel, and has worked extensively with The Nebraska Medical Center’s Skin and Wound Advisory Team to develop and implement innovative protocols for pressure ulcer prevention.
She was editor-in-chief of international guidelines on pressure ulcer prevention and treatment that have been translated into 13 languages. She has received numerous state and national awards for her work, including the UNMC Outstanding Teacher award.
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