Dr. Juliann Sebastian named new nursing dean









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Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D.
Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D., dean and professor of the University of Missouri-St. Louis College of Nursing, has been appointed as the new dean of the UNMC College of Nursing, effective Oct. 15.

The appointment is pending University of Nebraska Board of Regents approval.

If her appointment is approved by the regents, Dr. Sebastian will succeed Virginia Tilden, D.N.Sc., who retires this week after nearly eight years as UNMC’s nursing dean.

“Dr. Sebastian is an experienced and nationally known nursing leader with important academic credentials and delightful personal qualities,” said Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D. “I am confident she will be an outstanding leader of the UNMC College of Nursing.”

Dr. Maurer praised Jim Linder, M.D., and the UNMC search committee for their work in the search for the new dean.

Prior to her appointment as dean in St. Louis, Dr. Sebastian was assistant dean for advanced practice nursing and professor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.

She’s an expert in organization of care delivery systems, care for underserved populations, academic nursing practice and nurse-managed centers, and doctor of nursing practice program curricula.

“I am tremendously honored and excited about the opportunity to be part of this amazing academic health sciences center,” Dr. Sebastian said. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends of the College of Nursing, with colleagues from other health professions throughout UNMC and with community members in building on the great work of Dean Tilden.”

Janet Cuddigan, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing and chairwoman of the college’s Adult Health & Illness Department, will serve as acting dean from July 1 until Dr. Sebastian takes over in October.