Suzanne Nuss, PhD, has been appointed as the new assistant dean of the UNMC College of Nursing-Omaha Division, effective July 1. She will continue her current role as assistant vice chancellor of clinical workforce development at UNMC and clinical workforce development officer for Nebraska Medicine.
Kati Bravo, PhD, who has served as interim assistant dean of the Omaha division since Jan. 1, 2024, will continue as director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program.
Dr. Nuss said she pursued the assistant dean’s position because of the experience she’s had with faculty, staff and students at the UNMC College of Nursing.
“I would like to guide this wonderful group of faculty and staff in achieving the college of nursing’s goals,” she said. “But I think what appealed the most has come from my interaction with nursing students, both formally in lectures and informally in the halls and lobbies.
“I want to be able to have an impact on future nurses.”
Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, DNP, dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, said Dr. Nuss’ familiarity with UNMC, Nebraska Medicine and the nursing field will bring an invaluable asset to the college.
“We are excited to have Dr. Nuss join the college of nursing’s Omaha team,” Dr. Sharp-McHenry said. “Her leadership and experiences will be an asset to us as we educate the next generation of nurses and continue to build clinical partnerships across the state.”
Dr. Nuss completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Syracuse University in New York and her Master of Science in Nursing at Seton Hall University in New Jersey.
She began her professional career at Nebraska Medicine as a clinical nurse specialist and case manager in 1996, eventually becoming chief nursing officer in 2015. From 2017 to 2024, she was the associate dean for Nebraska Medicine Nursing at UNMC, which formed her connection to the UNMC College of Nursing.
While working at Nebraska Medicine, she completed her PhD at UNMC in 2007.
As a UNMC alum, Dr. Nuss said her appointment to the position feels “a bit like coming home.” She said she wants to use that feeling and her professional experiences as motivation to further the mission of the college.
“My previous roles have given me experience in leading teams, which is important for this role,” she said. “In addition, I know what a health care system is looking for in new graduates, so I can help prepare our students for success after graduating.”