University of Texas Health leader named to health education academy

Patricia L. Starck, dean of the UTHealth School of Nursing, has been elected to the Univeristy of Texas Academy of Health Science Education.

The position is given to scholars who have shown themselves to be excellent teachers. She is one of 12 member elected to join and the only new addition from UTHealth.

"The entire UTHealth community joins me in congratulating our dean of deans on this well-deserved honor," UTHealth President ad interim Giuseppe N. Colasurdo said in a press release. "Dr. Starck is a true pioneer who has made many invaluable contributions to the field of nursing throughout her career."

Starck was nominated for her leadership and contributions to nursing education. She has helped create programs that have worked to fill the nursing shortage and contributed to UTHealth being in the top 5 percent of nursing graduate schools.

Starck is a John R. McGovern Distinguished Professor and holds the Huffington Foundation Chair in Nursing Education Leadership. She has held the position of dean for 25 years and helped raise millions of dollars to support nursing programs, scholarships and build new facilities.

An induction ceremony for the new additions will be held on Feb. 23 and Feb. 24 as part of the eighth annual Innovations in Health Science Education Conference.