Anderson University Names Nursing School Dean
Dr. Pamela Binns-Turner comes to Anderson from successful Union
nursing school
Dr. Pamela Binns-Turner, currently the
Program Director for the Nurse Anesthesia Track in the School of Nursing at Union
University in Jackson, TN, has been named the new Dean of the School of Nursing
at Anderson University. Pending approvals from the SC Board of Nursing and the
University’s regional accrediting body, current plans indicate that the AU
School of Nursing will likely begin classes in the fall of 2012 in a
state-of-the art instructional space, complete with the latest in simulation
technology, to be built within the university’s Vandiver building over the next
year.
Dr.
Binns-Turner was selected after a national search by Anderson University not
only because of her excellent reputation in the field of nursing education, but
also her experience in directing a highly respected program at a Christian
university. She has recently published a chapter in a new textbook on Nurse Anesthesia, and
has written a number of presentations and peer-reviewed articles.
“Through
the vision of Anderson University and the upstate community an outstanding
partnership has formed to establish our School of Nursing focused on educating
future nurses with clinical and academic excellence, and preparing them for a
lifetime of professional service with a Christian worldview,” she said.
When she arrives at the
Anderson University campus late this spring, Dr. Binns-Turner will begin
preparations for various studies required by the State Board of Nursing, the
national nursing program accrediting body, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing
Education, and the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools, as well as participating in the development of
facilities, curricula, and hiring faculty for the highly anticipated School of
Nursing.
Dr. Binns-Turner cites her
two biggest passions in life as nursing, and fulfilling God’s plans for her
life, passions she says are evident in her professional, academic and personal
journey. That journey, she says, has now led her to the exciting challenge in
Anderson.
“I am both honored and
excited to be selected as the Founding Dean of the School of Nursing and eagerly
anticipate its development through building relationships with the community,
university, faculty, staff, and students.”
In making the announcement
to the campus, Dr. Evans Whitaker, president of the University, said, “We are
thrilled to announce the addition of Dr. Binns-Turner to our campus. She has the right combination of
personal attributes, scholarly credentials, teaching and administrative
experience, and leadership skills to initiate and lead what we intend to be a
superb School of Nursing. We
welcome her to Anderson and look forward to working with her as she leads this
exciting new school.”
Prior to her directing the
Nurse Anesthesia Track at Union, Binns-Turner had a distinguished career in
nursing in hospitals in Alabama and Tennessee. She received her BSN, MNA, and
PhD at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Anderson University is a comprehensive university affiliated
with the South Carolina Baptist Convention offering bachelors and masters
degrees. Anderson is ranked in the Top Tier (top 21) of colleges and
universities in the South, and one of 68 “Up and
Coming” schools to watch in America,”
by U. S. News & World Report. It is the #1 “Up and Coming” school in The
South according to that publication.
Anderson has also been named one of “Americas 100 Best College Buys,”
Located in The Upstate region of South Carolina near the foothills of the
Appalachians, Anderson University features a rigorous education in a supportive
Christian environment.
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