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@UOPacificSHSWho launches a new school at the oldest university in California, in the middle of a global pandemic and achieves explosive growth and meaningful impact in the community? A unique leader. The School of Health Sciences (SHS) at the University of the Pacific, established in 2020 under the visionary and inspirational leadership of Dean Nicoleta Bugnariu, has become a cornerstone of healthcare education in California. Despite launching amid the COVID-19 pandemic and during a period of declining university enrollments, in less than four years, the school has more than doubled its programs and student enrollment. It now offers 14 programs across ten departments and four clinics, impacting communities around its three campuses in Sacramento, Stockton and San Francisco. With an intentional focus on people, strategy and execution, Dean Nicoleta, has built a strong team and fostered a culture of collaboration, entrepreneurship, innovation and community engagement. Inspired by her leadership, SHS is nimble and agile as a start-up, while delivering results akin to a well-established institution. Dean Nicoleta is determined and positive, a force to be reckoned with. Dean Nicoleta's unwavering commitment to accessible higher education, transforming healthcare education one student at a time, is matched only by her strategic approach and business acumen. Dean Nicoleta is a transformative leader championing the education of disadvantaged and underrepresented students for a positive impact on the community. Dean Nicoleta has established numerous and strong partnerships with industry, profit, and non-profit organizations to leverage resources and accelerate the collective impact for the health and wellness of the region.
RUNNER-UP
Americas Most Impactful Leader of the Year Award
Nicoleta Bugnariu
RUNNER-UP Americas Most Impactful Leader of the Year Award
University of the Pacific - United States
"Advancing healthcare, through innovative education and community engagement "
Engage on social media
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-the-pacific-school-of-health-sciences/(Official SHS LinkedIn account)
Summary
Key People
Jeannene Ward-Lonergan
Associate Dean for Accademic Affairs
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Matthew Wernette
Assistant Dean for Finance and Operations
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Tracey DelNero
Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Chair of PA Department
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Tanisha Sparks
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Lana Watts
Sr Assistant Dean for Advancement
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Mike Tentis
Director, Marketing & Communication
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Kris Himmerick
Director, Assessment, Accreditation and Sponsored Projects
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Kenneth Rainey
Executive Asst to Dean
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Cecilia Uribe
Program Manager for Academic and Student Affairs
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Ann Stoltz
Chair and Program Director, Nursing
Nursing,
University of the Pacific
Lindsay Gietzen
Program Director, Doctor of Medical Science & Doctor of Health Sciences
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Natalie Perkins
Chair and Program Director, Occupational Therapy
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Amanda West
Chair and Program Director, Social Work
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Long Wang
Chair and Program Director, Nutrition
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Gabriella Musacchia
Chair and Program Director Audiology
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Todd Davenport
Chiar and Program Director, Physical Therapy
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Tamara Phelan
Professor, Physical Therapy
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Derek Isetti
Chair and Program Director, Speech-Language Pathology
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Thomas Koesterer
Chair and Program Director, Athletic Training
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Marjan Hazrati
Director of Clinical Education Strategy and Partnerships
School of Health Sciences,
University of the Pacific
Scott Biederman
Vice President for University Development and Alumni Relations
Development and Alumni Relations,
University of the Pacific
Molly Byrne
Senior Associate Vice President Development and Corporate Relations
Development and Corporate Relations,
University of the Pacific
Suki McClatchey
Director Global Citizenship
Abbott Fund
Kathryn McKenzie
Divisional Vice President, Global Citizenship and Sustainability
Abbott Fund
Berit Gundersen
Dean, Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy
University of the Pacific
Acknowledgements
Abbott Fund
California’s Department of Health Care Access and Information
Images
Dean Nicoleta Bugnariu with PA students
Dean's team fundraising for students at Pacific Gives 2024
Dean Nicoleta Bugnariu and chairs at Nursing Ribbon Cutting
Dean's resilience award receipients at SHS 2022
Pacific SHS Abbott Scholars and Abbott Fund partners
IMPACT STORY
Impacting lifes
Imagine dreaming about graduate studies and a career in healthcare when you don’t know where you will sleep tonight, or when you believe that nobody in this world cares for you, and no one else in your network has ever gone to college, and there is no way you can afford it.
Imagine being able to remove these barriers for one person and change their life trajectory.
It may seem a drop in the ocean, until you consider the ripples, the multiplying effect on all the patients that one person will care for during their career.
Empowered by Nicoleta’s leadership, Pacific’s School of Health Sciences not only educates but also transforms lives, creating a diverse, empathetic, and skilled workforce poised to impact communities across California. Through our partnership with Abbott Fund, 75 students received scholarships. In return, these graduates in nursing, social work and clinical nutrition are committed to practice and serve in the community, focussing on diabetes education and management, addressing a critical healthcare shortage.
Through Nicoleta’s visionary guidance, the school has also become a sanctuary for those overcoming adversities like homelessness, foster care, and justice system involvement. A recently secured $1.7 million grant provides financial aid, mentorship, educational support, and counseling to an additional 17 occupational therapy and social work students annually, over three years.
Amanda West, Chair of social work department, underscores the need: “More social workers with lived experiences from underrepresented populations are desperately needed. Dean Nicoleta’s leadership and this grant address that need.”
LEARNINGS
Lessons learned
In a traditional higher education environment, especially one that has hundreds of years of history and established processes, entrepreneurship is not always understood. It may be perceived as moving too fast, without everyone being able to provide feedback or support. One can accomplish tremendous things if one does not care who gets the credit. Moving from “I” to “We”, sharing the credits and accolades freely, produces a lot of good will and buy-in.
We also don’t talk about entrepreneurship and healthcare. One goes into healthcare to help people, to treat patients at their most vulnerable times, and thinking about it as a business, it is equivalent to a social “faux-pas”.
Yet, no mission, no matter how noble it is, can be accomplished and sustained without a sound business plan. Fundamentally, “no margin = no mission”. It is the leader’s job to explain “why” it is important to talk about business and entrepreneurship in the same sentence with compassion and healthcare.
At the core, entrepreneurship also stands for creating and delivering a solution to a problem or an unmet need. There are a lot of problems and needs to be addressed in communities that do not have adequate access to healthcare. The bigger and more complex the health problem is, the more important collaboration and community engagement will be to find and deliver multifaced solutions
Our partnership with Abbott has demonstrated that engaging organizations aligned with your mission and building strong partnerships is essential for meaningful community impact.
FUTURE PLANS
What's coming?
Pacific’s School of Health Sciences is committed to expanding its impact and reach in the coming years. Building on the success of securing $11.5 million in State of California grants since 2020, the school will continue to focus on recruiting and supporting students from traditionally underrepresented communities. Of these funds, $4.5 million has been allocated directly to financial scholarships, significantly reducing the cost of attendance for these students.
Looking ahead, the school aims to harness the power of online education to democratize access to graduate-level healthcare education. By developing robust online programs, the School of Health Sciences will extend its high-quality education to students regardless of location. This initiative will ensure that aspiring healthcare professionals from diverse and underserved backgrounds can pursue their dreams without the constraints of physical distance.
Online education will also allow for greater flexibility, enabling working professionals to upskill and advance their careers while balancing personal and professional commitments. The school plans to introduce more online certificate and degree programs, particularly in high-demand fields such as diabetes care, clinical nutrition, nursing, and social work.
Under Dean Nicoleta Bugnariu's visionary leadership, these efforts will continue to be driven forward. Her strategic vision and commitment to inclusivity and technological advancement ensure that the school maintains and enhances its role in addressing critical healthcare needs. The School of Health Sciences at the University of the Pacific is poised to train a diverse, competent, and compassionate healthcare workforce dedicated to improving health outcomes for communities across California and beyond.
