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Message from the Dean

An update from Sally Maliski, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Dean of the KU School of Nursing

Sally Maliski, Ph.D., RN, FAAN

DEAR COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS,

In our last issue of KU Nursing, I said that 2020 was shaping up to be a monumental year for the KU School of Nursing and for the profession of nursing, but little did I or anyone else know just how monumental it would be! The COVID-19 virus hit full force in March, but nurses continued to be the lifeline for patients, families and communities not only caring for patients and their families in acute and long-term care situations, but also in playing a critical role in the development of testing and vaccination protocols and administration.

Throughout the pandemic, the KU School of Nursing has not just survived, but thrived. It certainly has not been easy and has required commitment and sacrifice by all of our faculty, staff and students. In March, we made the transition to all online instruction, but our programs remained strong. The Salina campus admitted a class of 24 students in Fall 2020. Our graduate students continue their studies as they move to advanced level degrees at the masters and doctoral levels. You can read more in this issue of KU Nursing about how our university has ably adapted to the pandemic.

I am also proud of how our staff and faculty responded in 2020 to the increasing violence against our Black colleagues, friends and family. Our faculty’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion committee drafted a strong position statement condemning racism and reaffirming our school’s commitment to fighting any kind of discrimination. We also developed an 11-point action plan that has been launched and is underway. You can read our statement in this magazine.

And so, while it has indeed been a monumental and trying year in so many ways, there have been many silver linings. We have learned so much about ourselves, each other, our community and the strength that comes from unity.

Please enjoy this issue of KU Nursing and learn more about our mission to advance the well-being of all.

Sally Maliski, Ph.D., RN, FAAN
Dean, University of Kansas School of Nursing


KU School of Nursing

University of Kansas Medical Center
3901 Rainbow Boulevard
Kansas City, KS 66160