By Jeff Samoray, OU Web Writer

Oakland University recently named Linda Thompson dean of the School of Nursing. Thompson brings a wealth of professional, academic and administrative experience to OU, most recently exhibited at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. She will assume her position Aug. 1.

"In addition to her professional credentials in nursing, Dr. Thompson brings to us her vast academic and administrative experience in the university and government functions," said Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Virinder Moudgil. "Her accomplishments and national recognition bring additional prestige and visibility to the School of Nursing and Oakland University. I urge everyone to work closely with Dr. Thompson during the period of transition."

Thompson is acting chair and associate dean of policy and program planning at the University of Maryland. She earned her BN and MSN at Wayne State University and her MPH and DrPH at Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health.

She has published many academic articles, reports and abstracts. Currently, she is co-authoring "Perceptions of the Influence of Weight on Health Among Urban African American Caregivers of Preschool Children: Findings from Initial Focus Groups" for the publication "Journal of National Black Nurses Association."

Thompson has received numerous research grants and has been an invited speaker at many conferences. She also is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a member of the American Nurses Association and National Black Nurses Association.

"Dr. Thompson has great knowledge of community relations and of applying nursing practice and principles in the setting of wellness and services to patients," said Lorraine Headley, chief nurse and associate hospital director at William Beaumont Hospital in Troy, who also is vice chair of the SON's Board of Visitors and served on the SON dean search committee.

"Dr. Thompson has a very nice style in terms of interpersonal relations. This is very important when fitting into a new team. She will be team-based, use a collaborative approach and have a great deal of respect for the other professionals at Oakland."

The School of Nursing, established in 1975, offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, an RN/BSN completion program and a Master of Science in Nursing. The MSN has three tracks: family nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist-adult health nursing and nurse anesthesia. There also are two post-master’s certificate programs that include options in nurse anesthesia and family nurse practitioner. The undergraduate program encourages full-time study but provides a part-time option as well. Oakland annually grants 90-95 BSN degrees in nursing.

Visit the School of Nursing Web site for more information on the school's academic programs, courses, faculty, news and events.