University of the Sciences in Philadelphia

Laurie N. Sherwen, PhD, RN, FAAN, has been named dean of the College of Health Sciences at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, it was announced recently by Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gary Sayed. Dr. Sherwen will join University of the Sciences in December after serving as dean and professor of the Division of the Schools of the Health Professions at Hunter College of CUNY since 2000.

“Dr. Sherwen comes to University of the Sciences with a proven track record in academic leadership as dean of Health Professions at Hunter College,” said Dr. Sayed. “We have a young faculty in CHS who will benefit from Dr. Sherwen’s experience in scholarship, publication, and research. She also brings a diverse background in health professions ranging from allied health to nursing to public health which will be a benefit to us.”

At Hunter College, Dr. Sherwen played a role in the merger of the School of Nursing and the School of Health Sciences into the Division Schools of the Health Professions; secured, with the president and provost, over $2 million for renovation of Communication Sciences Program Clinic; and oversaw construction of the Clinic, the School of Nursing Ambulatory Care Simulation Lab, and the Medical Lab Sciences laboratory.

Prior to arriving at Hunter, Dr. Sherwen was the dean of the School of Nursing at The College of New Jersey. She also served as a full professor and director of the Graduate Nursing Program at Thomas Jefferson University, School of Health Sciences.

She received her BSN in nursing from Seton Hall, her MA in parent-child nursing and education, and her PhD in nursing research from New York University. In 2007, she received a certificate in academic leadership from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Sherwen has received numerous honors and awards, including fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Nurses’ Association Maternal Child Nurse of the Year, March of Dimes Maternal Child Nurse of the Year, and was twice the recipient of the American Journal of Nursing Book of the Year Award. The author of more than 35 refereed articles, eight books, four chapters, and numerous non-refereed publications, she has received significant research support for her investigations into perinatally-transmitted HIV infection, and for training and education projects.

Dr. Sherwen joins a USP college that is comprised of six programs, including the departments of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and medical technology. Students in the College of Health Sciences focus on active clinical training through hands-on education in order to learn vital healthcare services that improve the lives of others.

University of the Sciences in Philadelphia is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to education, research, and service. Comprising five colleges, including its new Mayes College of Healthcare Business and Policy, University of the Sciences specializes in educating its 2,800 students for rewarding careers through its undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degree programs in pharmacy, health and related sciences, and healthcare business and health policy. Founded in 1821 as the nation’s first college of pharmacy, it is where the founders of six of the top pharmaceutical companies in the world launched their futures.