Phone: (585) 275-9578
Office: HWH 3W157
Email: Lydia Rotondo

Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP

(Pronouns: she/her/hers)

Senior Associate Dean, Graduate Education & Innovation
Director, Doctor of Nursing Practice Program
Professor of Clinical Nursing

Education

Doctor of Nursing Practice, 2013. Vanderbilt University. Nashville, TN
Master of Science in Nursing in Adult Health & Illness, Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist, 1986. University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing. Philadelphia, PA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing, 1981. Georgetown University School of Nursing. Washington, DC

Bio

Lydia Rotondo, DNP, RN, CNS, FNAP, is a professor and distinguished leader in nursing education at the University of Rochester School of Nursing. As the senior associate dean for graduate education and innovation, Rotondo oversees the master's programs in nurse practitioner specialties, leadership, and nursing education, as well as oversees and directs the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program.

In her role, Rotondo is committed to promoting interprofessional education and exploring innovative solutions to address workforce and community needs. Over the past decade – in her previous role as associate dean for education and student affairs – she has led the School's development of an academic innovation infrastructure, transforming nursing education through the implementation of educational technology and experiential learning to support competency-based learning.

Her influence extends beyond the university setting. Rotondo has engaged in close collaboration with New York State education leaders, contributing to the passage of recent legislation that supports the integration of simulation in clinical nursing education. On a national level, she has made significant contributions to the advancement of DNP education, including service on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) New Essentials Implementation Task Force.

Rotondo's expertise and leadership have been recognized through her participation as an AACN Academic Nursing Leadership Fellow and her induction as a Fellow in the National Academies of Practice. Her multifaceted career exemplifies a commitment to innovation in nursing education, the cultivation of leadership, and the advancement of the nursing profession at both institutional and national levels.

Awards

2021 Deans’ Appreciation Award, URSON (recognizing associate deans’ COVID response): School of Nursing, 2021
Distinguished Scholar and Fellow: National Academies of Practice, 2020
Dr. Jeremy A. Klainer Endowed Dean’s Discretionary Award in Nursing to support development of Holistic Admissions review: School of Nursing, 2019
Professional Advancement Award: University of Rochester School of Nursing (URSON), 2015
Cum Laude Society, Inaugural Honorary Inductee: Arendell Parrott Academy, 2013
Founders Medal Nominee: Vanderbilt University, 2013
Clinical Excellence Award: Pennsylvania Nurses’ Association, 1986
Sigma Theta Tau Award - for academic achievement and leadership: University of Pennsylvania, 1986
Commencement Speaker: Georgetown University School of Nursing, 1981
Dean’s Citation - Awarded for outstanding contributions and leadership in academic and extracurricular activities: Georgetown University, 1981
Dean’s Medal - Awarded for highest academic average for four years: Georgetown University, 1981

Presentations

Preparing for doctoral study: Making the most of the year before you begin: Podcast, companion to Preparing for doctoral study publication, 2024
Classroom of the 21st century: Kitko, L., Serwetnyk, T., & Burke, K; Webinar, Wolters Kluwer, 2024
Implementing an Integrated Health System Science Curriculum in a post BS-DNP NP Program: AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2023; San Diego, California
Implementing a mobile learning program to transform nursing education; The iROC initiative: Serwetnyk, T.; National Nursing School Forum, Apple Education, 2023; Cupertino, California
Educators, leaders, and nurses: Resetting relationships featuring Peter Buerhaus: Hughlett, L.,; VUSN Alumni Panel, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), 2022; Nashville, Tennessee
The state of DNP education in 2022 AACN report: Idzik, S., Keady, K., Kitko, L; URSON DNP Summit, University of Rochester School of Nursing, 2022; Rochester, New York
Discussion on the ra donda vaught verdict: Bezek, S., Haas, C., Leonard, M.; Webinar, URSON, 2022; Rochester, New York
Integrating digital technology in 21st century nursing education.: AACN Deans Annual Meeting (select), Apple Education/AACN, 2022; Washington, District Of Columbia
Emerging tools to develop and assess competence in DNP students: Baylor, E.; AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022; virtual
Development of holistic admissions review in a DNP program guided by self-determination theory: Ciurzynski, S.; AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2022; virtual
iROC program: Leveraging technology to transform nursing education: Serwetnyk, T., Burke, K.; [Webinar] Apple Reimagining Nursing Education Series, to Transform Nursing Education, Apple Health Education Division. National Webinar, Apple Education, 2021
iROC program: leveraging technology to transform nursing education: Serwetnyk, T., Burke, K.; [Webinar]. Apple Reimagining Nursing Education Series, to Transform Nursing Education, Apple Health Education Division., Apple Education, 2021
The impact of COVID on nursing leadership and resilience: . Finger Lakes Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, NY Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders, 2020; Rochester, New York
Holistic admissions review: Graduate Steering Committee, University of Rochester, 2020
Creating organizational synergy through A-P partnerships: Implementation of a DNP practice fellow program: Davis, K.; AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2020; Naples, Florida
Moving DNP scholarly projects to publication: Ciurzynski, S., Christenbery, T., Polomano, R.; AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2018; Naples, Florida
DNP prepared CNLs: Leveraging connections and benefiting from synergies: Olsan, T., Hurley, D., & Rosario-McCabe, L.; AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2017; San Diego, California
Promoting Formation of Clinical Scholars in DNP Education: AACN Doctoral Education Conference, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2016; Naples, Florida
The Future of Nursing: Embracing our Roots, Expanding our Reach: Sigma Theta Tau, Xi Chapter, Induction Ceremony, 2015; Rochester, New York

Publications

Terhaar, M. & Rotondo, L.D. (2025). Health Care System Exemplars.. Translation of evidence into nursing and healthcare (4th.ed).
Moran, K., & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Setting the stage for the doctor of nursing practice project. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed)..
Conrad, D., Kesten, K., & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Defining the doctor of nursing practice: Current trends. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed)..
Rotondo, L.D. (2024). The Origin Story of the DNP. DNP Guidebook.
Rotondo, L.D (2024). The advocate narrative. Preparing for doctoral study: Making the most of the year before you begin.
Massaro, L.M. & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Conceptual Models and Theoretical Frameworks. DNP Guidebook.
Rotondo, L.D. & Baylor, E. (2024). Assessment and evaluation in simulation. A Practical Guide for nurse practitioner faculty using simulation in competency-based simulation. Wolters Kluwer..
Conrad, D., Kesten, K., & Rotondo, L.D. (2024). Defining the doctor of nursing practice: Current trends. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed).
Moran, K,m Burson, R., & Rotondo, L.D (2024). The phenomenon of interest.. The doctor of nursing practice scholarly project: A framework for success (4th.ed)..
Glassman, K., Layton, S., Mansfield, J., Rotondo L.D., Start, R., & Stoehr, A. (2022). AACN essentials faculty toolkit, Phase I Domain 7: Systems-based practice. American Association of Colleges of Nursing.. American Association of Colleges of Nursing.
Rotondo, L.D (2021). Fostering Dialogue about Practice Knowledge Development in a DNP Curriculum: Opportunity for Theory Innovation?. Nursology..
Rotondo, L.D (2018). Change theory: The underappreciated key to knowledge translation. In T. Christenbery, Evidence-based practice in nursing: Foundations, skills and roles. Springer Publishing Company..
Rotondo, L.D (2016). The clinical scholar role in doctoral advanced nursing practice, reflective response. In M. M. Dreher & M.E. Smith Glasgow, Role development for doctoral advanced nursing practice (2nd ed.). Springer Publishing Company..
Flannery, M., & Rotondo, L.D (2016). Changing practice: Frameworks for implementation science. Oncology Nursing Forum, 43 (3), 385-388.
Rotondo, L.D. (contributor) (2016). The doctor of nursing practice nurse practitioner clinical scholar [White paper].. National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF).