UW News

July 16, 2013

UW welcomes Azita Emami, dean of School of Nursing

News and Information

Azita Emami recently joined the School of Nursing as the Robert G. and Jean A. Reid Dean.

Emami most recently served for five years as dean at Seattle University’s College of Nursing. She came to Seattle from Karolinska Institutet of Stockholm, Sweden, where she was an endowed professor in elderly care research and senior lecturer while also holding other administrative and research leadership positions.

Azita EmamiAt Seattle University, Emami implemented a five-year strategic plan including major reorganizations that emphasized excellence in integrating teaching, research and clinical practice, as well as an expansive global-engagement program. She developed a substantial professional development program for faculty and staff, and better support for faculty collaboration. She also placed a central focus on the student experience to prepare nurses to lead in an era of challenge and change.

As dean, Emami is focused on creating a student-centered learning environment that engages while it teaches, encouraging the faculty’s professional and scholarly development, enhancing advanced practice nursing programs, and expanding opportunities for nurses to assume significant healthcare policymaking roles.

Emami has more than 60 published scientific articles in refereed international and Swedish journals, three book chapters and two scientific reports. She serves on the editorial boards or as a reviewer at six peer-reviewed journals. She has participated in major international collaborations with institutions in the U.S., Great Britain, Australia and Iran. She recently became a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.

Emami holds a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the Karolinska Institutet, a master’s degree in international health care from Karolinska and the Red Cross College of Nursing, a nursing education degree with a teaching certification and a doctorate in medical sciences from Karolinska.