Dr. Laurie Anne Ferguson has been named Founding Dean of the Emory & Henry School of Nursing offering extensive experience in the nursing profession in both education and clinical work. Most recently, Dr. Ferguson served as dean of the College of Nursing and Health and director of the School of Nursing at Loyola University in New Orleans, Louisiana.
“We are excited to have Dr. Ferguson join the College,” said Dr. Lou Fincher, vice president and dean of the E&H School of Health Sciences. “She brings strong leadership skills and a record of building innovative nursing programs that will position Emory & Henry to make a positive impact on the nursing shortage in this region. Dr. Ferguson also has extensive clinical experience in treating underserved populations in a rural healthcare setting. I look forward to working with her and members of the team that will develop and create the School of Nursing to serve our region’s nursing workforce needs.”
Emory & Henry plans to launch a new School of Nursing in the Spring of 2021. Plans are underway to develop multiple nursing programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. The first group of students will work in Fall 2021 on prerequisite classes to determine admittance into the program their sophomore year.
Ferguson brings more than 36 years of experience as a nurse practitioner in adult, family and pediatric care as well as emergency room, occupational health and primary care.
“I am humbled and excited to be a part of Emory & Henry’s vision to increase access to nursing education in Southwest Virginia and beyond,” said Ferguson.
Emory & Henry College launched an RN to BSN online program in 2018 under the direction of Abingdon resident and program director, Dr. Saundra Farmer.
Susan Stanley, RN, the College’s Director of Health Services since 2011, was presented with the Blue & Gold Award for the July-September quarter on Monday, November 23 during the Staff Town Hall with President Wells.