To UTHSC Faculty, Staff and Students,
Earlier today, Dr. Laura Talbot, who has served as dean of the College of Nursing for the past two years, informed her team that she will be leaving to transition into a faculty research position in the College of Medicine. During her tenure, the College of Nursing has achieved some tremendous successes including re-launching the BSN program; increasing Tennessee applicants to the DNP program; establishing the first-ever Pediatric Nurse Practitioner option; reactivating our Neonatal Nurse Practitioner concentration; and reinvigorating nursing research. The college continues to design practical programs that serve specialized health care needs that are currently unmet in our city, state and region. We applaud Dr. Talbot for her many contributions. We know the College of Medicine will provide exceptional resources and support to advance Laura’s long-standing commitment to science, research and military medicine.
Dr. Wendy Likes, associate dean and chair for Advanced Practice and Doctoral Studies, has agreed to serve as interim dean in the CON until a permanent successor is appointed. As a three-time alumna, with her MSN, DNSc and PhD all from the CON, and as a faculty member since 2004, Wendy brings a team focus and thorough knowledge of UTHSC to her interim role. Dr. Likes’ close working relationships with our key stakeholders, hospital partners, practice groups, and civic organizations make her ideal for this role.
We are confident that Dean Likes and her team of experienced and collaborative faculty members and administrators will do a superb job during this period of transition.
Steve J. Schwab, MD
Chancellor
Ken Brown, JD, MPA, PhD, FACHE
Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operations Officer