USF Dean Selected for National Nursing Fellowship
Eileen Fry-Bowers, dean of the University of San Francisco’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, is joining a national community of academic nursing leaders working to reimagine nursing education and prepare the next generation of nurses.
Fry-Bowers recently participated in the inaugural gathering of the Academic Nursing Innovation (ANI) Fellows Program, a two-year initiative designed to help nursing school leaders drive meaningful change in academic programs. The initiative brings together leaders to share ideas, collaborate on curriculum redesign, and develop approaches that better prepare graduates for the demands of modern health care.
The fellowship comes at a particularly timely moment for USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, as the school continues to earn national recognition for its nursing education. The university’s undergraduate nursing program ranks No. 19 out of 669 programs nationwide, placing it in the top 3 percent in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 rankings. USF also ranks in the top 15 percent of nursing colleges nationwide in Niche’s 2026 rankings.
“The inaugural Academic Nursing Innovation Fellows gathering set a powerful tone for this fellowship. Being surrounded by leaders determined to challenge traditional paradigms was deeply inspiring and energizing,” Fry-Bowers said. “I am honored to embark on this two-year learning journey with such visionary peers, united in our mission to build adaptable, forward-thinking nursing programs that empower the next generation of nurses and health care trailblazers.”
Through the two-year program, each participating school will receive a total of $50,000. The funding will help cover travel and support the time required for curriculum redesign and implementation.
The ANI Fellows Program is a collaborative initiative supported by the Bedford Falls Foundation and the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation. United by a shared commitment to advancing nursing leadership and education, both foundations recognize the critical role these investments play in addressing today's health care workforce challenges.
The fellowship’s goals extend beyond individual institutions. By building a national network of academic nursing leaders, the program aims to establish shared approaches to preparing practice-ready graduates, reducing early-career attrition, and strengthening the nursing workforce.
For Fry-Bowers, the opportunity represents a chance to collaborate with peers who share a commitment to shaping the future of nursing.
“I am so grateful to the Bedford Falls Foundation and the Elisabeth C. DeLuca Foundation for their audacious sponsorship of this game-changing initiative to reshape nursing education,” she said.
The fellowship will give USF the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovative nursing educational models that address health inequities and help meet the growing demand for skilled health care professionals.
Help prepare nurses to meet tomorrow’s health care challenges »
