In a recent move, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation Dean Judith Karshmer announced the appointment of Professor Ross Andel as the interim director of the college’s PhD program.

“He brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as PhD director at his previous university and his enthusiasm for the position is palpable!” said Karshmer.

Andel said he is looking forward to working with his colleagues in the college to continue to move the program forward and highlight all of the new faculty talent and ongoing developments in the field.

“I am excited to step in as interim director of the PhD in Nursing and Healthcare Innovation program. I believe that the combination of exposure to clinical aspects of health care and training in applied research relevant to nursing and healthcare innovation creates a tremendous opportunity to harness and distribute new, innovative knowledge that can improve real-life approaches to health care and, ultimately, health outcomes on all levels. I plan to use my time as interim director to build on the success of Dr. Kelly Davis and her predecessors in facilitating the progress of doctoral students toward becoming independent researchers and effective leaders in their chosen field of study,” Andel said.

Associate Professor Kelly Davis, who has served in this interim role since the summer of 2020, will return to her research full-time. In fact, she will be heading to the United Kingdom early next year as part of the Fulbright Scholars Program.

“I want to thank Dr. Davis for her willingness to take on this additional responsibility for the last couple of years. She has been a steady presence and her ideas and leadership have served the program and its students well,” Karshmer said.

Andel’s appointment is effective July 1.