A Message from Dean Lisa Kitko

One hundred years ago, in 1925, the University of Rochester School of Nursing welcomed its first class. It was the start of a bold vision: to elevate nursing as both a profession and a discipline through excellence in education, practice, and research. Founded alongside Strong Memorial Hospital and the School of Medicine & Dentistry, our partnership created the foundation for an integrated academic health system unlike any other in the nation.

Over the decades, the School became known nationally for advancing the Unification Model —integrating education, practice, and research in a way that elevated nursing scholarship and patient care alike. We were also among the earliest schools to establish master’s and doctoral programs in nursing, cementing research as a cornerstone of our mission. These innovations solidified Rochester’s reputation as a place where nursing knowledge grows in tandem with nursing practice, shaping both the profession and the health of our communities. Today, as an Apple Distinguished School and nationally-recognized simulation center we continue to attract exceptional students and faculty who carry forward our tradition of innovation and excellence.

Yet a centennial is more than a moment to reflect. It is a call to look ahead. The challenges facing health care today require us to reimagine how we educate future nurses, generate knowledge to address society’s most urgent health concerns, and expand practice partnerships that extend nursing’s reach into every community we serve. I believe the next 100 years will be even more impactful than the first, driven by the energy and creativity of the people who make up our School of Nursing.

I am humbled to lead this School at such a pivotal moment. Every day I see the compassion, determination, and brilliance of our students, faculty, staff, and alumni—and I know our future is bright.

I invite you to join us for Centennial celebrations during Meliora Weekend and throughout the year as we honor our past, celebrate our present, and shape our future together.

Thank you for being part of this story. Together, we will ensure the University of Rochester School of Nursing continues to be, in every sense, ever better.

With gratitude,

Lisa Kitko, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN
Dean, University of Rochester School of Nursing
Independence Foundation Chair in Nursing Education
Vice President, URMC
Professor of Nursing and Geriatric Medicine

Previous Messages

Aug. 21, 2025: Welcoming a new academic year, and a historic Centennial ahead