PhD News & Stories

Aerial image of University of Rochester Medicine campus

Tuesday, Sep 8, 2026
URochester School of Nursing becomes School of Nursing & Health Sciences
The University of Rochester School of Nursing has become the University of Rochester School of Nursing & Health Sciences, building on more than a century of nursing leadership while expanding interdisciplinary education, research, and preparation for the future of care.

Group photo of four researchers in front of a poster presentation

Monday, Apr 20, 2026
Rochester nursing research shines at ENRS Scientific Sessions
URochester nurses delivered presentations and the keynote address at ENRS 2026, demonstrating nursing science's strength and resilience.

Monday, Feb 9, 2026
Centennial Spotlight: Tamala David champions change through community health nursing, discoveries in deaf health research
Bridging her family experiences and work as a community nurse, David shapes Deaf patients' experiences in healthcare — and passes her lessons on to students

Monday, Feb 9, 2026
Centennial Spotlight: Orlando Harris advances health research, policy to change lives
Harris' career as an HIV scientist and NP is rooted in Rochester. Today, his impact has expanded internationally.

Monday, Feb 9, 2026
Centennial Spotlight: Jacquelyn Campbell contributes to prevention of intimate partner violence
Campbell's experience as a PhD student at the University of Rochester built the foundation for her career as a leading expert on intimate partner violence.

Group photo of ENRS participants holding a poster that says "#NursingScience"

Friday, Apr 11, 2025
UR Nursing Researchers Represent Rochester at ENRS Scientific Sessions
Rochester nurse scientists disseminated research on maternal and child health, palliative care, nursing workforce issues, and more in Philadelphia this spring.

Photo shows two men walking down a snowy sidewalk.

Wednesday, Jan 1, 2025
UR Nursing Research Champions Family Caregivers
Family caregivers don’t always receive the care they need for their own health. Here’s how UR Nursing researchers hope to change that.

Tuesday, Oct 8, 2024
PhD Student Lea Brown Receives NEF Scholarship
Brown, a researcher and nursing leader with more than 25 years of experience, studies the relationship between nurse competency assessment and patient outcomes.

Three students hold bouquets of flowers in the School auditorium.

Wednesday, Sep 4, 2024
UR Nursing Celebrates Fall Convocation, Recognizes Top Scholars
The annual tradition welcomes new and returning University of Rochester nursing students and honors student award winners.

Tuesday, Sep 3, 2024
Alumna Zhihong Zhang Receives AACN Nursing Science Award for Cancer Research
Zhang, who earned her PhD at the UR School of Nursing, hopes to improve cancer treatment for older adults.

Side-by-side grid of Lea Brown and Erin Vernetti's headshots.

Monday, Jul 22, 2024
Two UR Nursing PhD Students Selected as Jonas Scholars
The selective national program supports doctoral students who aspire to take on faculty roles and teach the next generation of nurses.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Mary-Therese Dombeck’s Timeless Influence on Nursing
Mary Therese-Dombeck, who has devoted over 40 years to the University of Rochester School of Nursing, retires at age 89.

Group photo of UR Nursing researchers outside in Boston

Monday, Apr 15, 2024
UR Nursing Researchers Present, Earn Prizes at ENRS
Faculty, staff, and doctoral students from the UR Nursing presented their latest research and earned regional recognition at the annual Eastern Nursing Research Society Scientific Sessions.

Monday, Dec 18, 2023
UR Nursing’s Abu-Ba’are Leads $2.3M Study on Improving HIV Prevention, Care in Ghana
A University of Rochester School of Nursing researcher has earned a $2.3 million National Institutes of Nursing Research grant to address stigma and discrimination related to HIV, sexual orientation, and gender expression and improve health outcomes among those who are most disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in Ghana.

Dillon Dzikowicz, Mary Carey and Sunita Pokhrel Bhattarai stand in front of a research poster at the AHA conference.

Tuesday, Nov 21, 2023
UR Nursing Researchers Recognized at American Heart Association Scientific Sessions
UR Nursing cardiovascular nurse scientists earned the Research Article of the Year Award and an early career travel grant.

Saturday, Oct 7, 2023
Mitchell Wharton Inducted as Fellow of American Academy of Nursing
Mitchell Wharton, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CNS, ACRN, AAHIVE, an accomplished educator, researcher, and clinician at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing’s 2023 class of fellows at the academy’s annual Health Policy Conference on Oct. 5 in Washington, D.C.

Photo of Zhihong Zhang holding her award certificate and a bouquet of flowers.

Wednesday, Sep 6, 2023
Convocation Welcomes New Students, Celebrates Award Winners
The annual ceremony celebrated new and returning students, and marked major milestones for the School of Nursing.

Portrait of Margaret Carno in front of a rainbow glass sculpture at Wilmot Cancer Institute.

Thursday, Jun 15, 2023
Professor Margaret-Ann Carno to Lead American Thoracic Society's Nursing Assembly
Professor Margaret-Ann Carno looks forward to lifting up future nursing leaders as she begins her term as chair-elect of the ATS Nursing Assembly.

Thursday, Mar 23, 2023
PhD Students, Faculty Represent UR Nursing at ENRS Scientific Sessions
A team of PhD students and faculty represented the University of Rochester School of Nursing at the Eastern Nursing Research Society's (ENRS) 2023 Scientific Sessions in Philadelphia on March 23 and 24.

Friday, Mar 17, 2023
PhD Candidate Martez Smith Receives UR Presidential Diversity Award
Martez Smith, a sexual health researcher and social worker who has dedicated his life to HIV care and prevention, is a recipient of the Change Maker Award

Wonkyung accepts an award at the School of Nursing auditorium.

Monday, Nov 14, 2022
MS-PhD Student Wonkyung Chang Receives U.S. Dept. of Health Fellowship
MS-PhD student Wonkyung Chang aims to improve mental health outcomes among minority populations through her research and practice as a psychiatric nurse.

Dean Lisa Kitko welcoming students to the Fall 2022 semester

Wednesday, Sep 7, 2022
School of Nursing Celebrates Students, New Dean at Opening Convocation Ceremony
The University of Rochester School of Nursing welcomed new and returning students and recognized some of its leading scholars at its annual convocation ceremony on Sept. 6.

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2022
Blaakman Selected as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing
Susan Blaakman, a nationally certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and longtime faculty member at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, has been selected to join the American Academy of Nursing’s 2022 class of fellows. A professor of clinical nursing and specialty director of the family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner program, Blaakman is among 250 distinguished nurse leaders representing 35 states and 17 countries chosen for the academy’s largest cohort to date.

Tuesday, Jun 21, 2022
Marie Flannery to Direct UR Nursing PhD Program
Marie Flannery, PhD, RN, has been named director of the University of Rochester School of Nursing’s PhD program, succeeding longtime director Bethel Powers, PhD, RN, FSAA, FGSA, who is retiring in July. “Assuming the position of director of the PhD program is an honor,” said Flannery.

Thursday, Jun 9, 2022
SON Postdoc Honored with Distinguished Dissertation Award
Sukardi Suba, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, was recently recognized with the 2022 Distinguished Dissertation Award in Nursing from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Nursing. His dissertation was selected based on the criteria for its distinctive scholarliness, innovation, and important contribution of the dissertation to the discipline of nursing.

Thursday, Apr 28, 2022
PhD Student Dillon Dzikowicz Honored with Edward Peck Curtis Award
Dillon J. Dzikowicz, an instructor and PhD student at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, has been named a recipient of the University of Rochester Edward Peck Curtis Award for Excellence in Teaching by a Graduate Student. The award, established in 1984, recognizes graduate students who excel in advancing the teaching mission of the University by providing highly skilled and innovative instruction to undergraduate students.

Monday, Mar 7, 2022
Mary G. Carey Selected as Honoree of 2022 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame
Mary G. Carey, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, an associate professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and director of the Clinical Nursing Research Center at Strong Memorial Hospital, has been selected as an honoree of the Sigma Theta Tau’s 2022 International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.

Monday, Dec 20, 2021
UR Nursing Researcher Receives Grant to Study Home Health Care Disparities
Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN, postdoctoral program director and assistant professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, received an award from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to improve infection control in home health care. The study, “Disparities in infection in home health and patients/caregivers’ perceptions (Dis-Infection in HHC),” is a five-year, over $2 million RO1 award. Wang and co-investigator Jingjing Shang, PhD, RN, FAAN, professor of nursing at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, will investigate socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 cases and other infection events in home health care patients before and during the pandemic. Findings from the study will help develop a home-based infection prevention and control program.

Monday, Nov 29, 2021
Wharton Named President-Elect of ANAC’s Board of Directors
Mitchell J. Wharton, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, CNS, ACRN, University of Rochester School of Nursing’s associate dean for equity and inclusion, was named President-Elect of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) Board of Directors.

Monday, Oct 4, 2021
Wharton Elected Secretary of AACN's DEI Leadership Network
Mitchell Wharton, University of Rochester School of Nursing’s associate dean for equity and inclusion, has been elected to serve as secretary of a new American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) network focused on diversity issues. Wharton will serve as one of the members of the steering committee of AACN’s new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Network (DEILN).

Friday, Sep 3, 2021
SON Convocation Celebrates Start of 2021-2022 Academic Year
The University of Rochester School of Nursing kicked off the 2021-22 academic year at its convocation ceremony on Tuesday.

Tuesday, Aug 17, 2021
Underhill-Blazey Chosen as American Academy of Nursing Fellow
The American Academy of Nursing (Academy) announced that it has selected Meghan Underhill-Blazey, PhD, APRN, assistant professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, into its 2021 Class of Fellows.

Wednesday, Aug 4, 2021
UR Nursing Associate Dean Serves as Journal's Guest Editor
Mitchell J. Wharton, University of Rochester School of Nursing’s associate dean for equity and inclusion, served as a guest editor of a special edition of the Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. The issue focused on racism, discrimination, and health inequities associated with HIV and sexual and gender diversity.

Thursday, Jun 24, 2021
UR Nursing Scientist Receives Pilot Award to Simplify Medication Use Among Older Adults
Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN, assistant professor at University of Rochester School of Nursing, received a one-year pilot award from the U.S. Deprescribing Research Network (USDeN), to improve the quality and outcomes of post-acute care and home health care for older adults with complex medical conditions who take multiple medications.

Thursday, Apr 29, 2021
UR School of Nursing Anticipates Return to Fully In-Person Learning in Fall
The University of Rochester School of Nursing is making plans to return to fully in-person classroom learning beginning with the fall 2021 semester. School-wide safety protocols instituted during the pandemic, including mandatory masking, frequent hand washing, and daily health screenings, will continue for the 2021-22 academic year. Additionally, all School of Nursing undergraduate and graduate students who plan to enroll for the 2021-22 academic year will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Monday, Apr 12, 2021
UR Nursing Commencement Details: Celebrating the Class of 2021
We look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of the Class of 2021 this May.

Monday, Feb 22, 2021
NURSING Magazine: Shattering Glass Ceilings
The installation of Kathi Heffner, PhD, and Vankee Lin, PhD, RN, as Wilson Professors was unlike any that had come before it. What made this event unique had nothing to do with the concessions made to a global pandemic, but with who was being honored.

Friday, Feb 19, 2021
YOTN Year-end Video
Year of the Nurse year in review video with Kathy Rideout and Karen Davis

Tuesday, Jan 26, 2021
School of Nursing Elevates Wharton to Associate Dean for Equity and Inclusion
Mitchell J. Wharton, an accomplished educator, researcher, and clinician, has been named associate dean for equity and inclusion at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, The appointment shatters glass ceilings at the school. When he begins his new duties on a part-time basis on February 1, Wharton will be the first male and the first person from a group underrepresented in nursing to serve at the associate dean level of senior administration.

Monday, Oct 26, 2020
Rochester Academy of Medicine Recognizes Three UR Nursing Faculty
Three members of the UR School of Nursing faculty are among a dozen URMC professors to be honored at the Rochester Academy of Medicine’s annual awards event on Oct. 27. members of the UR School of Nursing faculty are among a dozen URMC professors to be honored at the Rochester Academy of Medicine’s annual awards event on Oct. 27. Marianne Chiafery, Beth Palermo, and Tobie Olsan were each selected to be recognized at the academy’s annual meeting for their contributions to health care in the Rochester community.

Monday, Jun 1, 2020
Year of the Nurse: Hazel Robertshaw, FF Thompson Hospital
Hazel Robertshaw, Year of the Nurse and Midwife

Thursday, May 28, 2020
UR President Mangelsdorf and UR Medicine CNE Karen Davis Celebrating Nurses Week
UR President Mangelsdorf and UR Medicine CNE Karen Davis Celebrating Nurses Week

Tuesday, May 5, 2020
A tribute to all of our nurses
Crisis tends to bring out the best of people, and that’s never been more true than during the COVID-19 pandemic, says University of Rochester Medical Center Chief Nursing Executive Karen Davis. She said she’s extremely proud of how well nurses have responded. “It’s been awe-inspiring to see how people have taken this on. We’re so fortunate to have the group of nurses and health care providers that we do here.”

Friday, Apr 24, 2020
Year of the Nurse: KC Clevenger, Wilmot Cancer Institute
KC Clevenger - Year of the Nurse and Midwife

Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020
UR Nursing Makes Big Move in U.S. News Rankings
The University of Rochester School of Nursing made a big move in the highest-profile rankings of master’s nursing programs. The school jumped nine places, landing at No. 26 in the 2021 Best Graduate Schools guide produced by U.S. News and World Report. The ranking is the school’s best showing in the publication since coming in at No. 29 in 2004, when nursing schools were featured on a quadrennial basis.

Monday, Feb 3, 2020
Mary Carey Named a ‘Health Care Hero’ by Rochester Business Journal
Mary G. Carey, PhD, RN, FAHA, FAAN, an associate professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and director of the Clinical Nursing Research Center at Strong Memorial Hospital, has been named a Health Care Hero by the Rochester Business Journal.

Thursday, Jan 9, 2020
Record-Breaking Enrollment Reflects Growing Nursing Workforce Needs
The School of Nursing began its fall 2019 academic year by welcoming a record-breaking class of 235 new students. The most recent spike continues the substantial growth at the school where enrollment has increased more than 40 percent since 2016, from 529 to 742 students.

Monday, May 13, 2019
Celebrating 2019 School of Nursing Graduates
This May, we celebrate University of Rochester School of Nursing degree candidates from our undergraduate and graduate programs.

Wednesday, Apr 24, 2019
Wang Selected for Provost's Furth Fund Award
Jinjiao Wang, PhD, RN, an assistant professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing, was one of three promising scientists recently selected by Provost Rob Clark to receive the Valerie and Frank Furth Fund Award.

Friday, Jun 9, 2017
UR Nursing Remembers Alumna Ellen Volpe
University of Rochester School of Nursing remembers alumna Ellen Volpe, who was killed in a car accident June 8.

Monday, Jun 5, 2017
NP Advocate's Career Forged by Close Relationships, Collaboration
Jane Tuttle, professor of clinical nursing, retired after more than 40 years’ experience as a nurse practitioner.

Tuesday, Dec 6, 2016
UR School of Nursing Renames PhD Program
UR School of Nursing Renames PhD Program to PhD in Nursing and Health Science