Nursing Leadership

Karen Drenkard announced as Acting Divisional Dean of the 911�� School of Nursing

Taylor Thomas — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:59:44 +0000

Karen Drenkard announced as Acting Divisional Dean of the 911�� School of Nursing Taylor Thomas Fri, 03/06/2026 - 11:59

In This Story

Key Takeaways:

Karen Drenkard has been announced as the 911�� School of Nursing Acting Divisional Dean.
Drenkard, a 911�� School of Nursing alumna (PhD '06), boasts an impressive career as a leader in nursing education and health care innovation across academic, clinical, and organizational settings.
As Acting Divisional Dean, Drenkard's expertise will further the School of Nursing's mission to produce nursing leaders who will contribute to the health of all populations through innovative and impactful research, practice, and service.

Karen Drenkard. Photo provided.

The College of Public Health welcomes Karen Drenkard, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN as its new Acting Divisional Dean of the School of Nursing. A 911�� alum (PhD ’06), Drenkard brings exceptional leadership, national recognition, and deep expertise across academic nursing, clinical practice, health care innovation, and strategic program development. As President of Drenkard Healthcare Consulting, LLC, she has guided large integrated health care systems, schools of nursing, technology companies, and national organizations in strategic planning, academic–practice partnership development, quality management, and leadership advancement.

"Dr. Drenkard's distinguished career and transformative leadership in nursing education and health care innovation will help advance key initiatives in the School of Nursing. We welcome her vast expertise and visionary approach, which are well-aligned with our mission to advance health and well-being through education and innovation,” said Dean of the College of Public Health Melissa Perry.

Most recently, Drenkard served as professor and associate dean of clinical practice and community engagement at The George Washington University School of Nursing, where she led major clinical initiatives, including the school’s COVID-19 response efforts. Her prior leadership includes a decade as Chief Nurse at Inova Health System, as well as executive roles at GetWell and the American Nurses Credentialing Center, where she served as Executive Director of the Magnet Recognition® Program.

Drenkard is recognized nationally for her transformative leadership and service. She currently chairs the Inova Alexandria Hospital Board Quality and Safety Committee and serves on the boards of the American Organization for Nurse Leaders, the Northern Virginia Workforce Investment Board, and the Watson Caring Science Institute. She is also a member of the Dean’s Advisory Councils for the Indiana University School of Nursing and Russell Sage College, and serves as visiting faculty at the UCSF School of Nursing.

Her thought leadership extends across the country through hundreds of keynote presentations and her extensive faculty work with the UCSF Leadership Institute, where she teaches executive sessions on strategic planning, succession planning, and the integration of human caring into leadership practice. She has also developed comprehensive leadership modules for major health care organizations, spanning executive presence, business planning, financial management, career mapping, and media engagement.

A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice, Drenkard earned her PhD in nursing administration, policy, and ethics from 911�� and is both a Wharton Nurse Executive Fellow and a Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellow.

Topics

CPH - School of Nursing

Nursing Leadership

Nursing Faculty

College of Public Health

Alumni

Faculty and Staff News

Associate Professor Erin D. Maughan receives VDOE Grant to invigorate the future of school nursing

Taylor Thomas — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:53:38 +0000

Associate Professor Erin D. Maughan receives VDOE Grant to invigorate the future of school nursing Taylor Thomas Fri, 02/09/2024 - 12:53

Both regionally and across the country, there is a severe lack of programs dedicated to school nursing administrators (i.e. nurses who lead school nursing and school health programs at the district level). Erin Maughan, an associate professor in College of Public Health’s School of Nursing at 911��, intends to remedy this with a $364,503 grant from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). With the funding, Maughan will establish the School Nursing Leadership Academy.

Erin D. Maughan

"There are over 130,000 school nurses across the nation, who are central to the foundation of the health and well-being of children,” Maughan said. "The goal of the academy is to develop leaders in school nursing who have the knowledge and skills needed to successfully oversee school health programs at the district level, as well as state and regional school nursing associations."

The academy, which is expected to be fully developed by June 2024, will be designed to train future leaders in school nursing using TeamSTEPPS, an evidence-based curriculum that prioritizes incorporating effective communication and teamwork into the health care system. The program will take place over one-and-a-half years and will incorporate experiential learning, equestrian activity, and expert-led discussions.

In addition, Mason's Center for Health Workforce is guiding the development of sustainable asynchronous modules for the professional development program, which along with virtual webinars, will provide additional information and mentoring opportunities.

The program kicks off with three days of in–person instruction, during which participants will use virtual reality (VR) modules to practice interprofessional skills and conflict management. Mason's College of Public Health is a leader in integrating VR into the curriculum and training of future health care leaders.

“Participating in the VR will allow gaining experience in a safe, nonthreatening environment where we can talk about how they reacted so they will have confidence and experience when they encounter situations in the real world,” said Maughan.

Maughan was originally approached by the VDOE’s state school nurse consultant Tracy White, who wanted to foster more leadership training and was aware of Maughan’s passion to do so as well. Together, they set into motion plans to create the academy.

Maughan is a leading expert on school nursing and the health of school-age children. Her research expertise is in looking at the role of infrastructure and policy on school nurse staffing and services. In addition, she has expertise in leadership, strategic planning, innovation, and mentoring. Her career is dedicated to children’s health, especially vulnerable populations. She is excited to contribute her skills and knowledge for the success of the academy.

“Having been a school nurse leader and researcher for many years, it has been a dream of mine to create such a program,” said Maughan. "I hope this program will build excitement and create a network of confident school nurse leaders who can transform school nursing in their districts, so that frontline school nurses have the guidance and support they need to work to their full scope of practice.

Maughan emphasizes how this program is not only for school nurses but also for the students they will be serving.

At its core, the School Nursing Leadership Academy is about building capacity to help school nurse leaders build their confidence and skills needed to do well in the position,” said Maughan. “We are confident this initiative will position school nurses and their program leaders to work effectively with school administrators, local health departments, health care providers and families to positively impact student health, and thus improve child health in the commonwealth and the rest of the nation.”

In This Story

Erin D. Maughan, PhD

More news from the College of Public Health

4-VA project brings 'serious' games to nursing education
October 21, 2026
One in five young adults in the U.S. experience daily anxiety
October 20, 2026
Student and faculty researchers team up to drive societal change
October 14, 2026
An alumna's journey from 911�� nursing to NIH clinical research
October 12, 2026
Twenty 911�� researchers receive 4-VA funding for collaborative research
October 8, 2026

Topics

Nursing Administration

Workforce Development

Research

School Nursing

Tech Talent Investment Program (TTIP)

TTIP

Andrea M. Landis, PhD, RN, FNP-BC

mthomp7 — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 16:53:38 +0000

Andrea M. Landis, PhD, RN, FNP-BC mthomp7 Thu, 01/25/2024 - 11:53

Associate Professor, School of Nursing
FNP/AGNP DNP Program Coordinator

Contact Information

alandis@gmu.edu
703-993-1965

Personal Websites

ORCID

CV

Download CV here

Biography

Dr. Andrea M. Landis, a distinguished healthcare professional, has dedicated her career to advancing the field of nursing through education, research, and clinical practice. She has two decades of experience in inpatient, outpatient, and academic settings, she imparts her expertise across various undergraduate and graduate programs at the School. Building on this expertise, she furthered her academic pursuits at Emory University, Atlanta, GA, obtaining a PhD in Nursing. Her doctoral dissertation, "Sleep and Obesity in Adolescents," showcased her dedication to understanding and addressing critical health issues affecting the adolescent population. With a passion for promoting health equity and inclusive excellence, she dedicates herself to gender-affirming healthcare and legislative advocacy for LGBTQ+ individuals. Her commitment to healthcare access and advocacy has extended to her role as a provider at the Mason & Partners (MAP) Clinic, where she provides clinical services for underrepresented and marginalized populations while educating the next public health workforce. Dr. Landis' dynamic approach to healthcare, which seamlessly integrates traditional nursing with the transformative potential of VR and AI, underscores her commitment to shaping the future of healthcare through innovative education and practice.

Research

Research Interests

Pediatrics/Adolescents, LGBTQIA2+
HIV/AIDS
VR
AI
Vulnerable populations

Select Publications

Landis, A. & Cieslowski, B. (2022). An innovative teaching modality to promote proficient gender-affirming care. Clinical Simulation in Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.07.002.

Book Chapters

Landis, A. (2020). Growth & Development. In Adolescent Nutrition: Assuring the Needs of Emerging Adults. New York, NY: Springer.

Honors and Awards

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nursing Scholar; 2012-15

Memberships and Affiliations

Member, ANCC; https://www.nursingworld.org/foundation/
Member, NONPF; https://www.nonpf.org/
Member, WPATH; https://www.wpath.org/
Member, APHA; https://www.apha.org/

Degrees

PhD, Nursing, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
MSN-FNP, 911�� School of Nursing
BSN, Widener University School of Nursing

Bethany Cieslowski, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CHSE

mthomp7 — Fri, 24 Sep 2021 18:53:09 +0000

Bethany Cieslowski, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CHSE mthomp7 Fri, 09/24/2021 - 14:53

Interim Divisional Dean, Nursing
Senior Director of Academic Programs
Associate Professor, Nursing

Contact Information

bcieslow@gmu.edu

CV

Download CV here.

In the News

$1 million U.S. Department of Justice grant will support virtual reality training for domestic violence response
April 13, 2026
Sentara leaders explore cutting-edge immersive technologies at 911��’s College of Public Health
March 21, 2025
College of Public Health awarded prestigious Society for Simulation in Healthcare accreditation
February 11, 2025
Innovate for Good: Social Work case simulation goes virtual
January 24, 2024
Nurses trained via virtual reality performed better than those trained by inpatient clinical training
April 13, 2023

Biography

Bethany Cieslowski is the Interim Divisional Dean of Nursing and Senior Director of Academic Programs. She earned her BSN from the University of Virginia, MA from Columbia University’s Department of Biomedical (Nursing) Informatics and DNP at the Duke University School of Nursing.

She came to Mason with several years of experience and training in simulation and debrief. Prior to coming to 911��, Bethany was the associate dean of undergraduate programs at a local university and helped lead the program through the pandemic. She transitioned students and faculty to completely online clinical experiences using high-quality simulation practices. She received the Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE) certification in 2017 and focused on using simulation and technology as effective strategies to educate the nursing workforce of the future.

In April 2016, she attended the Comprehensive Instructor Workshop at the Harvard Center for Medical Simulation in Boston. The training focused on the evidence-based, theory-driven approach debriefing with good judgment and the elements of a safe learning environment. Cieslowski integrates the concepts of a “safe container” into all learning experiences both in the classroom and the simulation lab. This approach enables students to experience learning to its fullest potential. She attended both the Essential and Advanced Instructor Courses at the Center for Medical Simulation at Harvard allowing her to take her debriefing skills to the next level for learners and faculty.

She has collaborated on several innovative teaching and research projects. Currently, working with faculty to understand the impact of virtual reality in education. In addition to the pilot study, she completed an integrative review to explore the state of the science on the prebrief required for high-quality VR/AR simulation. And finally, she developed the “reverse approach” to use VR in the classroom to engage and accelerate student learning. The reverse approach puts an instructor in the headset and requires students in the classroom to collectively care for the patient and family in the VR scenario. Moreover, she was instrumental in developing a VR Training Program based on the core INACSL’s Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice^TM (HSSBP^TM) to enable faculty and teaching assistants to facilitate and moderate VR simulation to ensure high-quality simulation at GMU. She is a past INASCL Research Fellow focusing her work on prebriefing the VR/AR simulation space.

Cieslowski considers herself an innovator and a disruptor - slowly pushing the walls of nursing to build a better future.

Research

Select Publications

Matto, H., Ihara, E., Cieslowski, B., Hines, D., & Booth, B. (2023). Virtual reality case simulation to build skill competencies in working with substance-engaged clients, Social Work Education, DOI: 10.1080/02615479.2023.2289452
Cieslowski, B., Craig, S, Gummadi, S, & Butler, K (2023). The Prebrief Time for Immersive Virtual and Augmented Reality Simulation: An Integrative Review. Nurse Educator.
Cieslowski, B. & Haas, T., Kyeung M.O., Chang, K., Oetjen, C. (2023). The development and pilot testing of immersive virtual reality simulation training for prelicensure nursing students: A quasi-experimental Study. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 77, 6-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2023.02. 001.
Cieslowski, B. & Haas, T. (Published online ahead of print). Innovative Learning: Implementing virtual reality in a large class of prelicensure students using limited equipment, time and resources. Nursing Education Perspectives. https://journals.lww.com/neponline/Fulltext/9900/Innovative_Learning__Implementing_Virtual_Reality.107.aspx
Landis, A. & Cieslowski, B. (2022). An Innovative Teaching Modality to Promote Proficient Gender-Affirming Care. Clinical Simulation in Nursing, 71, 26-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecns.2022.07.002
Cieslowski, B. & Haas, T. (2022). Accelerating Learning: Virtual reality in the classroom. Nurse Educator, 47(3). DOI: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001149
King, S., Cieslowski, B., Pope, D., & Winkfield, D. (2022). Outcomes of an Innovative Best Practice Clinical Immersion Framework: A Pilot Study. Nurse Educator, 10-1097. doi: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001219. Online ahead of print.
Want, D. & Cieslowski, B. (2022). Telepresence: An innovative teaching modality to enrich simulation and remote learning. Nursing Education Perspectives. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001068
Want, D. R., & Cieslowski, B. J. (2022). Using Telepresence to Enhance Learner Engagement. Nurse educator, 47(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNE.0000000000001051

Degrees

DNP, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Informatics, Duke University
POST GRADUATE CERTIFICATE, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Duke University, Expected May 2025
MA, Master of Arts in Biomedical Informatics (Nursing), Columbia University
BSN, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Virginia

Nursing Leadership

Karen Drenkard announced as Acting Divisional Dean of the 911���� School of Nursing

In This Story

Key Takeaways:

Topics

Associate Professor Erin D. Maughan receives VDOE Grant to invigorate the future of school nursing

In This Story

More news from the College of Public Health

Topics

Andrea M. Landis, PhD, RN, FNP-BC

Contact Information

Personal Websites

CV

Biography

Research

Research Interests

Select Publications

Book Chapters

Honors and Awards

Memberships and Affiliations

Degrees

Bethany Cieslowski, DNP, PMHNP-BC, CHSE

Contact Information

CV

In the News

Biography

Research

Select Publications

Degrees

Karen Drenkard announced as Acting Divisional Dean of the 911�� School of Nursing