Sean Clarke has been appointed as the next dean of Emory University’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, effective August 1, 2026. Clarke joins Emory from the New York University (NYU) Rory Meyers College of Nursing, where he serves as professor and the Ursula Springer Chair in Nursing Leadership, following prior service as executive vice dean.
Leadership and Experience
An internationally respected nursing leader, researcher, and educator, Clarke has held senior academic and research appointments at NYU, Boston College, McGill University, the University of Toronto, and the University of Pennsylvania. He has helped shape the national conversation on nursing workforce, patient safety, and health policy issues, and he brings to Emory a record of academic leadership, research excellence, and service to the profession.
As dean, Clarke will report jointly to Badia Ahad, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at Emory University, and Joon Lee, executive vice president for Woodruff Health Sciences of Emory University and CEO of Emory Healthcare.
“Dr. Clarke is an exceptionally accomplished scholar whose commitment to creating transformative learning experiences for students at all levels is evident,” says Ahad. “He brings a deep appreciation for the vital partnership between the liberal arts and professional education, and a clear understanding of how both advance the university’s mission and impact.”
Vision for the School of Nursing
“At Emory, we know strong nursing leadership is essential to the future of healthcare, alongside the deep connection between academic excellence and exceptional patient care,” adds Lee. “Sean Clarke brings both the vision and the experience to build on the School of Nursing’s extraordinary foundation and help lead it into its next chapter.”
Clarke has received numerous honors, including being named a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2006. He has also held visiting and honorary roles at universities worldwide, and in 2025 was awarded the Academy’s Civitas Award, recognizing his commitment to advancing excellence in quality care.
Original reporting: SaportaReport — read the source article.
