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Patricia Hurn was named the University of Michigan's dean of the School of Nursing on May 19. She currently is the vice chancellor for research and innovation and executive officer of the University of Texas System.

(Photo provided/University of Michigan)

ANN ARBOR, MI --The University of Michigan has named Patricia D. Hurn as its next dean of the School of Nursing, effective Aug. 1.

Hurn's five-year appointment was approved Thursday by the Board of Regents. She currently is the vice chancellor for research and innovation and executive officer of the University of Texas System. She also was appointed professor of nursing with tenure.

Hurn replaces Dean Kathleen Potempa, who will step down July 31 after 10 years of service.

"Dr. Hurn is an exceptional leader. Drawing on her own experience as a transdisciplinary researcher and teacher, she brings an open and collaborative approach to leadership," U-M Provost Martha Pollack said in a release. "Her effective work on key health education concerns-- student success, faculty development and translational research --make her the right person to lead the School of Nursing as the university expands its innovative work in interprofessional health education."

Hurn earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Florida and a master's degree in nursing at the University of Washington. She has a doctorate in physiology from Johns Hopkins University, where she started her academic career.

"I am greatly anticipating the opportunity to move this already outstanding School of Nursing toward even greater scholarship, leadership in health care delivery and innovation in education," Hurn said in a release.

Hurn moved to Oregon Health and Science University's School of Medicine, where she served as a professor and vice chair for research in the Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, associate dean for faculty development and faculty affairs, professor of neurology and physiology, professor of pharmacology and founder of the OHSU Research Center for Gender-based Medicine.

At the University of Texas System, she serves as the chief health research officer for six health organizations in her position of vice chancellor for research and innovation. She also is a research professor in neurobiology at the UT College of Natural Sciences.

Hurn is internationally known for her work in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of gender differences in response to experimental brain injury. Her more recent research focused on estrogen as an immunoprotectant in cerebral blood restrictions.

Her leadership work focuses on collaborative bio-health research models, science education innovation and research technologies. She is an internationally recognized researcher on stroke and other neurological conditions, and directs an interdisciplinary research laboratory that conducts biomedical research and applies findings to point-of-care patient applications.

She also implemented universitywide programs in faculty development, advanced women's pursuits in science and medicine, and advocated collaboration.

Hurn has been the principal investigator on more than $20 million in grant-supported research, as well as the co-investigator or collaborator on many other research projects.

Martin Slagter covers higher education for The Ann Arbor News. Reach him at mslagter@mlive.com or on Twitter.