Dr. Leah Z. FitzGerald Named Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) has announced the appointment of Leah Z. FitzGerald, RN, PhD, FNP-BC, FAAN, as the next Dean of the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing (MMDCON), effective August 1, 2025.
Dr. FitzGerald brings a distinguished background in nursing education, leadership, research, and federal health workforce development. Most recently, she served as Director of the Division of Nursing and Public Health at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), where she provided strategic guidance and oversight for a $642M per year investment focused on developing and strengthening the health workforce.
“Dr. FitzGerald brings a unique combination of academic leadership, clinical experience, and national health workforce insight that will position the Mervyn M. Dymally College of Nursing for its next phase of growth,” said Dr. Jose Torres-Ruiz, CDU Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Her vision and expertise will not only strengthen the College’s academic programs but also ensure our nursing students are equipped to thrive, lead, and serve in communities where they are needed most.”
Her career includes decades of experience as an educator, researcher, and administrator in the field of nursing. Prior to HRSA, Dr. FitzGerald was the Fletcher Jones Endowed Chair in Community Partnerships at Mount Saint Mary’s University, where she also served as Dean of Nursing from 2019-2022.
Dr. FitzGerald holds a PhD in Nursing from UCLA, where she also completed post-doctoral training in psychoneuroimmunology at the UCLA Norman Cousins Center. She earned both her BSN and MSN at Boston College and has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner in academic and private practice settings. In 2021, she was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing.
Her appointment signals a new chapter for MMDCON, a college committed to providing equitable opportunities for under-represented students to successfully practice at all levels within the field of nursing. Dr. FitzGerald’s leadership will drive the College’s continued recruitment efforts, fundraising initiatives, and pedagogical innovation in support of the University’s mission to cultivate health professional leaders dedicated to social justice and health equity.