Nursing asscociate dean named: 6/1

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Nursing associate dean named

Robin L. Bissinger, Ph.D., R.N., becomes the College of Nursing's new associate dean for academics June 1.
The advanced practice registered nurse, neonatal nurse practitioner and associate professor replaces Sally Stroud, Ed.D., R.N., who retired after 19 years at MUSC, on May 31.

In this position, Bissinger will provide leadership in managing various facets of the college's academic nursing programs including faculty and student affairs, program coordination and resource development and allocation.

Dr. Bissinger Drs. Robin L. Bissinger (left) and Sally Stroud at the 2012 Commencement.

In her previous position at the College of Nursing, Bissinger was the director of graduate programs (a role she will continue to perform) and led the Doctor of Nursing Practice and master's degree programs. In addition to her academic duties, Bissinger also functioned as the manager for the neonatal nurse practitioner team at the Children's Hospital and dedicated her clinical work to support, educate and advance the role of the neonatal nurse practitioner.

College of Nursing Dean Gail Stuart, Ph.D., said she is proud to bring someone of Bissinger's leadership and clinical and academic experience to the role.

"Dr. Bissinger is an excellent addition to my leadership team as she bring exceptionally strong skills in clinical practice, national nursing leadership and expertise in quality care and patient safety. I anticipate continued academic growth and outstanding outcomes in the days to come."

First appointed to the College of Nursing faculty in 1994, Bissinger is board certified by the National Certification Corporation as a neonatal nurse practitioner. She also is founder and past chair of the National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners, past president of the National Association of Neonatal Nurses, past president and executive director of the Carolina's Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners and liaison to the perinatal executive board for the American Academy of Pediatrics. Currently, Bissinger is president of the National Certification Corporation and vice-chair of the Congress on Nursing Practice and Economics. She is an active member of the National Alliance and LACE groups which are moving the advanced practice registered nurse toward a consensus model.

Bissinger earned a B.A. in biology and psychology from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Western Carolina University. In 1991, she was certified as a neonatal nurse practitioner from the University Medical Center. Bissinger received her master's and doctoral degrees in nursing from MUSC College of Nursing. She was presented with the Distinguished Leadership in Neonatal Nursing Award and the South Carolina League of Nursing Excellence Award.

The author of numerous publications and posters, Bissinger's clinical and research interests involve the study of secondary surfactant dysfunction and deficiency in neonates. She also is very involved in process improvement in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She is active in the South Carolina Neonatal Medical Consortium and has worked to help the state initiate and publish process improvement efforts on "The Golden Hour: A resuscitation strategy for very low birth weight infants."

Friday, June 1, 2012

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