Kathleen Knafl, Ph.D., has been appointed senior associate dean for Research and Faculty Affairs in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Nursing. Knafl also is the first holder of the Elisabeth N. Gray Distinguished Professorship. She comes to OHSU from Yale University School of Nursing where she most recently served as acting associate dean for academic affairs. Knafl earned a bachelor's, master's, and a doctorate in sociology and has devoted her career in schools of nursing to the development of science in support of nursing practice. She has had a distinguished career in the study of children with chronic illness and family support systems. For her commitment to the advancement of nursing through science she was awarded an honorary citation from the American Academy of Nursing in 1997 and in 2001 was made an honorary member of the academy. She has served on the National Institute for Nursing Research, Nursing Science Review Committee as a member and chairwoman  from 1991 to 1995 and currently serves as chair of a National Institutes of Health Center for Scientific Review study section. Knafl has served on numerous editorial boards and scientific committees. She has also received numerous university honors for teaching excellence. 

Judith Gedney Baggs, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., has been appointed senior associate dean for academic affairs in the School of Nursing. Baggs comes to OHSU from the University of Rochester in New York, where she was the associate dean for academic affairs. She has many years of experience as an educator, researcher and administrator. Baggs has been a nursing educator for more than 15 years. She is a scholar in clinical ethics and end-of-life care and has received funding from the National Institutes of Health and other sources during the past 15 years. Baggs chaired the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) Science Section in 2002-2003 and chaired a Special Emphasis Panel for NINR. She has reviewed many journals, served on several journal editorial boards, and currently is the editor of Research in Nursing & Health.