Dr. Munro comes to us from the University of South Florida College of Nursing, where she has served as associate dean of research and innovation since 2011. She is an accomplished health care researcher and leader in the field of nursing, who earlier this year was selected to receive the 2017 Leadership in Research Award by the Southern Nursing Research Society – just the tenth recipient in the society’s 31-year history.
Dr. Munro’s science has focused on the relationship between oral health and the prevention of systemic disease. Her work has been supported by more than $8 million in funding, and she recently received a nearly $2 million grant from the National Institute of Nursing Research to conduct research on prevention of delirium in critically ill adults. She holds three patents, including an international patent for a vaccine to prevent streptococcal endocarditis. Dr. Munro’s work has helped change clinical practice and reduce health care costs by addressing hospital-acquired infections.
Dr. Munro’s extensive experience and history of leadership in the field of nursing align with the mission of our school to educate students and support faculty committed to excellence in nursing and health science. Her contributions to the promotion of nursing and healthcare research are in keeping with the SONHS’ commitment to creating and disseminating health knowledge and provide service focused on patient safety to our community and communities across the globe.
Dr. Munro received her Ph.D. in Nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and a Post Master’s Adult Nurse Practitioner degree, also from VCU. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in Medical Surgical Nursing from the University of Delaware.
Before joining USF in 2011, she was a member of the VCU School of Nursing faculty, where she was named Nursing Alumni Endowed Professor in 2011. She also held affiliate professor appointments in VCU’s School of Medicine. She is a licensed registered nurse in Florida and Virginia and is a board-certified adult nurse practitioner, as well as co-editor in chief of the American Journal of Critical Care. Dr. Munro has published numerous articles, and in 2016 was recognized for her writing with the Apex Award for Publication Excellence in Editorial and Advocacy Writing, and the American Society of Healthcare Publication Editors Best Commentary Silver Award.
Dr. Munro is a member of the USF Chapter of the National Academy of Inventors and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
We extend our deep appreciation to Dr. Anne E. Norris, professor and associate dean for the Ph.D. Program, for serving as interim dean during the past six months, and for her leadership and exemplary service to the University and the SONHS. We also thank the hardworking members of the search committee for their outstanding efforts in selecting the new leader of our school.
We are delighted that Dr. Munro is coming to “The U” and look forward to her leadership and enhancement of our school’s world-class reputation for excellence in healthcare education, research and service. Dr. Munro will begin her role as dean of the SONHS on August 15th.
