Five Decades of Compassionate Care
In the vibrant community of Flint, Michigan, a pillar of nursing education has steadfastly served for fifty years—the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing. As we commemorate its golden anniversary, we pause to admire the school’s illustrious evolution, its impact on nursing education, and the indelible influence it has exerted on healthcare and society at large.
Establishment and Early Years
The School of Nursing at UM-Flint was established in 1974 with the mission to develop skilled and compassionate nurses. Those formative years were characterized by an unwavering dedication, tireless endeavor, and a deep-seated commitment to furnishing students with a holistic nursing education.
Educational Impact
Throughout five decades, the School of Nursing has solidified its role as a bastion of educational distinction. Offering programs from the undergraduate to the graduate level, the school has consistently adapted to address the changing needs of healthcare. Its faculty, consisting of experienced clinicians and distinguished scholars, have been instrumental in nurturing generations of students, bestowing upon them not only the science of healing but also a fervent dedication to caring and ethical practice.
Historical Milestones
| 1971 | The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Nursing begins the RN Studies program |
| 1974 | The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Board of Regents approved the establishment of the School of Nursing’s BSN program at the Flint campus, enhancing local registered nurses’ ability to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within their community. The program’s initial home was the Mott Memorial Building on Mott Community College’s campus, signifying the inception of the UM-Flint’s Nursing division. |
| 1976 | Candice Burns was appointed the Coordinator of the RN-BSN program, simultaneously holding the position of Assistant Professor on both the Flint and Ann Arbor campuses, bridging academic collaborations. |
| 1978 | Ellen Woodman, Assistant Professor Emerita of Nursing, ascended to the role of the first full-time director of the UM-Flint based RN-BSN program. A University of Michigan Doctor of Philosophy alumnus, Woodman was pivotal in the program’s transition to autonomy from Ann Arbor in 1989. She orchestrated the integration with Hurley School of Nursing to establish the UM-Flint Hurley Medical Center four-year BSN program, led the creation of the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN program, and championed the School of Nursing’s advancement into the realm of online education. Commemorating her 25 years of exemplary service in education, leadership, and community engagement, the Ellen Woodman Transformational Leadership Award was established, with the inaugural award presented in the fall of 2001. |
| 1982 | University of Michigan Board of Regents establishes a School of Health Sciences and approves a coordinator to oversee administrative functions. The unit consisted of the Departments of Physical Therapy and Health Care, each headed by a director who reported directly to the Provost/Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Nursing remained an independent department as an off-campus site of the University of Michigan School of Nursing’s RN Studies program. |
| 1985 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor School of Nursing receives re-accreditation by the National League for Nursing for all BSN and MSN main campus and off-campus programs, including one in Flint |
| 1987 | To enhance academic synergy, the Department of Nursing relocated to the Lapeer Street Annex, positioning faculty and students closer to the University’s main campus in downtown Flint. |
| 1989 | Marking a significant milestone, the UM-Ann Arbor Board of Regents ratified the RN-BSN program’s independence from the UM-Ann Arbor School of Nursing, leading to the creation of the School of Health Professions and Studies. |
| 1991 | The broadening of academic horizons saw the UM-Ann Arbor Board of Regents’ approval of the four-year generic BSN program at UM-Flint, with the Michigan Board of Nursing endorsing the UM-Flint Hurley Medical Center BSN program. |
| 1993 | The inaugural class was welcomed into the UM-Flint/Hurley Medical Center BSN program, with the first cohort of 24 students graduating in 1996. |
| 1995 | Department of Nursing requests the establishment of an independent School of Nursing in a meeting with Chancellor Charles Nelms. |
| 1997 | The UM-Ann Arbor Board of Regents approved the establishment of the Master of Science in Nursing program, under the direction of Thomas Schaal, Associate Professor Emeritus of Nursing. The Department of Nursing settled into its third location in the Classroom Office Building, now known as David M. French Hall, fortifying its presence on the Flint campus. |
| 1998 | Commencing the Master of Science in Nursing program, its first class yielded 13 graduates by 2001. This year also witnessed the establishment of the Flint Nursing Honor Society, as the Pi Delta Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International, recognizing nursing students and professionals for their academic and professional excellence. |
| 2001 | Upon Mary Periard’s appointment as director, the Department of Nursing underwent significant advancements. Periard, with her Ph.D. from Michigan State University’s College of Human Ecology, catalyzed increased research, innovated the BSN curriculum, and led the adoption of an RN-to-MSN track. She helmed the implementation of a tuition reimbursement model and faculty workload model. |
| 2002 | The Department of Nursing transitioned into the freshly erected William S. White Building, enriching its academic environment. |
| 2004 | Linda Knecht, Assistant Professor of Nursing, assumed the role of new director of the Department of Nursing, pivotal in fostering International Service Learning in Kenya, expanding the RN to BSN online program, and securing successful accreditation for all nursing programs in 2006. A Chance To Succeed program was inaugurated under the guidance of Rose Luster-Turner and Maureen Tippen, supported by alumna Teresa Martin. The initiative aimed to promote retention and success amongst disadvantaged and minority students through enriching mentorship relations. |
| 2005 | Adult nurse practitioner concentration is added to the MSN program |
| 2006 | Margaret Andrews took up the directorship of the Department of Nursing. Her Ph.D. from the University of Utah and induction into the American Academy of Nursing underscored her leadership. Andrews championed diversity, scholarship, and innovation across the department, resulting in substantial growth in enrollment, program offerings, and grant acquisition. Her tenure included the modernization of technology-driven initiatives and enhancements to the nursing Simulation Center. |
| 2007 | The Michigan Board of Nursing approved the accelerated 16-month second-degree BSN curriculum. This era also saw student enrollment surge to over 500 across undergraduate and graduate programs. |
| 2008 | Associate Professor Emerita of Nursing, Janet Barnfather retired, leaving behind the Barnfather Endowed Research Award to support student research dissemination at national and international conferences. |
| 2009 | The doctoral nursing practice program was launched to prepare advanced practice nurses. The first cohort of 19 graduates completed the program under the stewardship of Constance Creech, Associate Professor of Nursing, who was appointed director of graduate nursing programs in 2006. |
| 2011 | The department welcomed the first enrollment in the online accelerated Master of Science in Nursing program, geared toward adult nurse practitioners. |
| 2012 | Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education grants initial five-year accreditation (2012-17) for DNP program |
| 2013 | This year witnessed the inaugural admissions for the psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners’ post-graduate certificate program and the first class of acute care practitioner students in the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. |
| 2014 | Celebrating 40 years of excellence, the UM-Flint Department of Nursing opened the state-of-the-art Nursing Simulation Center, continuing to commit to advanced nursing education. |
| 2015 | Launch of a new state-of-the-art simulation lab to provide hands-on training experiences for nursing students. |
| 2016 | SON became Independent under Marge Andrews Leadership |
| 2017 | Accreditation renewal by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, affirming the program’s commitment to maintaining high educational standards. |
| 2018 | Implementation of an online RN to BSN program, enabling registered nurses to complete their bachelor’s degrees with greater flexibility |
| 2019 | DNP in Executive Leadership program begins |
| 2020 | Rapid development and deployment of online and hybrid learning options in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring continuity of education for nursing students |
| 2021 | Cynthia McCurren is appointed as the new dean of the School of Nursing. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky and has served on the executive board of the Michigan Association of Nursing Leaders. Additionally, she is a past president of the Michigan Association of Colleges of Nursing and has been an appointed member of the Michigan Task Force for Nursing Education. |
| 2022 | Launch of a new mental health nursing certificate program to address the growing need for mental health professionals in various healthcare settings. |
| 2023 | Expansion of community outreach programs, including mobile health clinics and partnerships with local healthcare providers to improve access to care in underserved areas. |
| 2024 | Additional space of the William S. White Building begins conversion to more state-of-the-art simulation space for students |
The 50th anniversary of the University of Michigan-Flint School of Nursing is a profound reflection of the institution’s steadfast resolve, relentless pursuit of excellence, and enduring pledge to mold the healthcare providers of the future. As we honor this significant commemoration, the school stands as a paragon of aspiration for the entire academic and healthcare community, reinforcing the message that through clarity of vision, tenacity, and a devotion to educational advancement, the potential for significant impacts on health and well-being are boundless.
