School of Nursing welcomes new associate dean for undergraduate program

Dr. Dorothy Rentschler has joined the School of Nursing at East Carolina University as associate dean for the school’s undergraduate program. Rentschler began Aug. 1, replacing Dr. Lou Everett, who retired.

Rentschler is responsible for providing administrative leadership, oversight and coordination of the undergraduate program, which admits 120 students each semester. The school graduates more nurses into the work force than any other college in North Carolina. Additionally, 100 students are enrolled in the R.N.-to-BSN degree completion option through distance education. The school will move in 2006 to a new building currently under construction adjacent to the Brody School of Medicine at ECU.

Rentschler

“I welcome the challenge that my position offers, particularly the opportunity to work with our highly motivated and innovative faculty,” Rentschler said. “I look forward to our move to the health sciences building on west campus since this will provide opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and research with the Brody School of Medicine and the School of Allied Health Sciences.”

Rentschler comes to ECU from the University of New Hampshire, where as an associate professor she served in various positions since 1990. She recently was director of the direct-entry master’s in nursing program. She previously served as associate chair for academic affairs and director of the undergraduate program. While at UNH, she was a senior lecturer and visiting professor at the University of Wales Swansea in the United Kingdom.

Rentschler has a bachelor of science degree in nursing from Long Island University and a master’s degree and doctorate from New York University. She has published in several journals and conducted research on women’s health issues ranging from pregnancy to menopause.