University Times

Ellen P. Rudy, dean of Pitt's School of Nursing since 1991, will step down at the end of the current academic year.

She has served as dean and professor here since arriving from Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, where she held the Edward J. and Louise Mellen endowed chair in acute care nursing and served as associate dean for research.

Under Rudy's leadership, Pitt's nursing school has ranked among the 10 highest National Institute for Nursing Research-funded schools for the past four years.

A nationally recognized expert in the field of nursing research, Rudy has been principal investigator on five National Institutes of Health-funded projects.

According to Arthur S. Levine, senior vice chancellor of Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine, Rudy "has been an exceptional force in academic nursing in this country. She came to Pitt as dean of the School of Nursing and within a decade had moved the School from a good regional institution to a top tier national institution. By any measurement, Pitt's School of Nursing is now among the top few, and Ellen accomplished this dramatic ascent with a synthesis of ambition, creativity, wisdom and wit which has made her unique in the annals of American nursing education."

Levine added: "She will be a very tough act to follow."

Reflecting on her tenure as dean, Rudy cited the school's high nationally ranked funding level and the establishment of a two-track faculty practice plan as her most important contributions.

"I'm most proud of the fact that we've been ranked in the top 10 for funding for the last four years," Rudy said. "Among about 75 nursing programs nationally that offer doctoral programs, I think that's a pretty good accomplishment. We also have a two-track — clinical and research — practice plan in place, and that plan helps put emphasis on our clinical nursing faculty."

Rudy listed the school's community outreach programs as a strength, including the Cameos of Caring gala she initiated two years ago to honor area nurses. The annual event honors nurses for demonstrating excellence in nursing care, serving as effective advocates for patients and their families, and acting as role models for the profession of nursing.

She said the Pitt-sponsored Horizons conference, a regional project for continuing education in nursing, has contributed to the school's prestige.

"Also, I have served on the scientific review section for the National Institution for Nursing Research, which I think has helped our research efforts here at Pitt," she said.

Rudy has published widely in professional journals and co-authored several textbooks. She serves on the editorial boards of three journals, is a frequent presenter at nursing conferences and has consulted with universities and hospitals around the country.

She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Ohio State, a master's in public administration from the University of Dayton, a master's in nursing from the University of Maryland and a Ph.D. in nursing from Case Western Reserve University.

After retiring next spring, Rudy plans to move to Columbus, Ohio, to be closer to family members.

"Pittsburgh has been a wonderful opportunity for me, and a great place to live and work." she said. "I have lots of people to thank before I leave, but I guess I'll be able to do that at my retirement party," she joked.

–Peter Hart