70 Years Anniversary
Celebrate our community members who are using transformative approaches and best practices to develop and promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities to eliminate health inequities locally and globally while preserving human dignity.
70 Stories of Impact
"I made a difference in the lives of special oncology patients and families I cared for and received more than I gave. I changed the healing of the world from where I was!"
Maureen O'Hara
BSN '72
"It takes a sense of understanding that work will always be hard, but collaboration and understanding can lead to immense impact and change."
Wyatt Lemp-Tepper
MSBH ‘19 and MPH Faculty
"Today, I am an advocate for workforce safety, diversity, equity, and inclusion."
Veronica Palustra
DNP '16, MSN '13
Our community has been living our mission since the 1960s. Uncover the stories about our journey.
70 Years of Contributions to the Community
Our students are improving the health of all populations through equitable and compassionate service, value-driven research, and innovative education. They're becoming health professionals who use their hearts, minds, and souls to change the world's health.
1940s
The department of nursing was formed within the College of Arts and Sciences in 1948.
1950s
USF established an independent School of Nursing in 1954.
1960s
USF became completely coeducational, though women in the School of Nursing could vote and hold office in student government before 1964.
1970s
The Beta Gamma Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau held its first installation of new members.
1980s
The first graduate students were admitted into the School of Nursing.
1990s
In 1998, John Lantz, the new dean of the School of Nursing, became the first male to occupy that position in the history of USF.
2000s
In 2002, Dr. Gregory DeBourgh, Associate Professor, received the University Distinguished Teaching Award for the use of computer technology to enhance his teaching. Dr. Margaret Maag, Assistant Professor, received the University’s Teaching with Technology Award in 2004.
2010s
Continuing its legacy of meeting changing health care and nursing demands, USF was the first institution in California to offer the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree for working nurses. In 2011, the Master of Public Health program was added, and in 2013, the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD in Clinical Psychology) degree program was established. In 2016 we launched the Master of Health Informatics (MS in Digital Health Informatics) program.
70 Years of Growth
70 Years of History
For over 70 years, the School of Nursing and Health Professions has continued to grow and thrive while supporting the work and mission of the Sisters of Mercy and the University of San Francisco.
70 Years to Help Shape Tomorrow
Seven Decades + 1 of Educating Health Professionals Initiative is an opportunity to bring together students, alumni, faculty, staff, partners, and our community to celebrate their legacy and lead the next ten years of concerted, catalytic, and collaborative action towards health equity to improve the lives of our populations, families, and communities.
Help Tell Our History
Help us write USF’s School of Nursing and Health Professions' history as we celebrate its 70th-anniversary. With your story, voice, and perspectives, we want to uncover hidden stories about our journey. We’ll collect these stories and post as many as possible on our website as we receive them.