A Gallery of Dean Ann Kurth’s Leadership: 2015 - 2022

After seven years leading Yale School of Nursing (YSN) Dean Ann Kurth ’90 MSN, PhD, CNM, MPH, FAAN, FACNM departs on December 31 for the top leadership post at the New York Academy of Medicine.

Dean Kurth recently paused to reflect on the years of her deanship, the unique attributes of a Yale Nurse and a Yale Midwife, and how the school is well-positioned for its second century of outstanding contribution starting in the centennial year of 2023.

  • Ann Kurth was named dean of Yale School of Nursing in 2015.
    In 2015, President Peter Salovey named YSN alum Ann Kurth (center) the new dean of Yale School of Nursing, following outgoing Dean Margaret Grey (left).
  • Dean Kurth is a founder of the Yale Institute for Global Health.
    In 2017, Yale announced the Yale Institute for Global Health, a partnership among the Schools of Nursing, Public Health, and Medicine.
  • The Simulation Lab expansion began in 2017.
    Also in 2017, YSN broke ground on the 8,000-square-foot expansion of the Simulation Lab and additional classroom space.
  • Ribbon cutting for the Sim Lab.
    In 2018, the $5 million Simulation Lab expansion was completed in time for the new fall semester.
  • Yale School of Nursing students and faculty use the new skills lab spaces for classes and final exams.
    The new skills lab equipment is used for regular coursework and final exams.
  • The Yale School of Nursing Dean's Leadership Council.
    In 2018, Dean Kurth founded the Dean’s Leadership Council. This key group of donors and advisors partners with YSN to advance the school’s mission of better health for all people.
  • Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams was the Bellos Lecture speaker in 2019.
    In 2019, Dean Kurth and Executive Deputy Dean Carmen Portillo (right) welcomed keynote speaker Rear Admiral Sylvia Trent-Adams and Secretary and Vice President for University Life Kimberly Goff-Crews ’83, ’86 JD, to the annual Sybil Palmer Bellos Lecture. Established in 1964, the Bellos lecture features a remarkable individual who epitomizes dedication to expanding the frontiers of healthcare.
  • Dean Kurth chaired the Consortium of Universities for Global Health.
    The WHO declares 2020 the year of the nurse. Dean Kurth and YSN faculty continue to engage in global health work at Yale, at the National Academy of Medicine, and worldwide, including through the new YSN Office of Global Affairs & Planetary Health.
  • Dean Kurth on CNN talking about COVID-19 on March 7, 2022.
    Dean Kurth appears as a guest on CNN to discuss COVID-19, then generally referred to as the novel coronavirus, on March 7, 2020. The US death toll at that time was in the double digits, as Dr. Kurth warned of the need for preparedness.
  • Yale School of Nursing students celebrated finishing their first year in 2021 with vaccines and masks.
    In 2021, now prepared with COVID-19 vaccines and masks, YSN celebrated the Graduate Entry Prespecialty in Nursing (GEPN) students upon the successful completion of their first year and taking the NCLEX licensing exam.
  • Commencement in 2021 was held on school grounds on West Campus.
    The 2021 Commencement ceremony hosted masked students on school grounds, but COVID-19 restrictions prevented a celebration with guests.
  • The Class of 2021 celebrated Commencement on school grounds in masks.
    Many members of the YSN Class of 2021 staffed vaccination and testing clinics and answered thousands of phone calls on the Campus Covid Resource Line.
  • In 2022, YSN welcomed alumni from the Classes of 2020 and 2021 back to West Campus for a special celebration to mark their Commencement achievements in person. This time, entire families could cheer on their graduates.
  • On Cross Campus for Commencement in 2022.
    Dean Kurth and the procession party awaiting their cue to advance to Old Campus.
  • YSN students celebrate Commencement 2022 in a shower of confetti.
    Commencement ceremonies resumed as usual for the Class of 2022, prompting a thunderous applause for Yale Nurses and Yale Midwives at the conferral of degrees ceremony on Old Campus.
December 12, 2022