Nursing dean also to head SPHHS on interim basis

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

Eileen Breslin

national search for a new dean of the School of Public Health and Health Sciences (SPHHS) took an abrupt turn this week as Eileen Breslin, dean of the School of Nursing, was named to head SPHHS on an interim basis.

     Charlena Seymour, interim senior vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and provost, who made the announcement, said a task force will be established during the summer to discuss a merger of the two schools.

     "It was in the best interest of all parties involved to hire a dean who is familiar with the school, the campus, and the disciplines," said Seymour. "Based on dean Breslin's past performance, I am very confident that she will move both schools to higher levels."

     Beginning in April, four candidates were brought to campus to meet with SPHHS faculty, staff and students as well as campus administrators and the search committee. The interviews concluded earlier this month.

     Breslin became dean of the School of Nursing in 1998. Before coming to UMass, she was chair of the department of nursing at Northern Arizona University from 1994-98. She was a member of the nursing faculty at Northern Arizona since 1983.

     Breslin received her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Colorado in 1992. She earned a master's degree at the University of Arizona, and a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University.

     She replaces SPHHS dean Stephen Gehlbach, who will return to the faculty after serving as dean since 1989.