Academic Nurse The - Columbia University School of Nursing

8 • Academic Nurse
setting will be good for me,” she
said, believing that it will give her a
chance to immerse herself in the curriculum
and develop ties with the
faculty. “i look forward to getting to
know everyone.”
While she sees Columbia’s smaller
setting as an opportunity to collaborate
with the faculty, she also sees
prospects for development. “i’d love
to grow the school, especially its
research capacity,” she said. “We are
going to grow.”
Also on her list: the alumni and
friends of the school. “my calendar
is already full with scheduled meet-
ings with alumni and the supporters
of Columbia nursing,” she noted.
“i see the alumni community as one
of our most important assets. They
and the students, who are our future
alumni, are a high priority for me.”
The Tenth Dean of the
School of Nursing
dr. berkowitz is using the lull of the
summer to get acclimated to her new
home, although she is no stranger
to the metro area. her husband,
rich, grew up in new york and,
since moving out West, they have
visited frequently to keep up with
family members who live in new
Jersey. “even though i am not new
to the City, i still have a lot to learn.
The medical Center is situated in
Washington heights, where there are
opportunities to contribute to the
health of the community, so i want to
learn more about the area.”
“With all the school’s strengths, we
should find a way to reduce disparities
and increase equity in the
neighborhood in which the school
resides. We should find ways to contribute
to this community.”
dr. berkowitz will live not far from
the school. she, her husband, two
cats, and their golden retriever,
simon, will take up residence on
116th street, across from riverside
Park. one of her first adjustments
will be learning to live without a car,
which, given the City’s traffic, she
looks forward to.
As the last days of summer closed in,
dr. berkowitz found herself working
out the final details of her move to
new york. Looking back at all that
has happened since the day the
search committee contacted her, she
said she is convinced she made the
right decision.
“i am particularly honored by the
trust the university has shown in my
ability to lead this treasure that is the
school of nursing,” she said. “i think
i’ve found a home.”
“The ideas that drove the development of the DNP curriculum,
the very roots of the DNP, are right here. I am invested in fulfilling
doctorally-prepared nurses’ ability to practice at the top of their
scope, leading teams and leading changes in health reform.”