April 30 , 2007

Chiverton Named University of Rochester’s First Endowed Chair in Nursing Entrepreneurship

Patricia A. Chiverton, EdD, RN, FNAP, dean and professor at the University of Rochester School of Nursing and vice president of Strong Health Nursing, was today named the University’s first Pamela York Klainer Endowed Chair in Nursing Entrepreneurship.

A creative problem solver, Chiverton has led the charge to successfully launch and run new businesses within the practice mission of the School of Nursing. The Center for Nursing Entrepreneurship (CNE), the first of its kind in the nation, grew out of this effort and has had a significant impact on the School’s success.

Chiverton’s eight-year tenure as dean has been marked by a number of other changes and innovations at the School of Nursing. In addition to the launch of new and improved program offerings, including a one-year accelerated program for non-nurses, the School’s total enrollment has increased by more than 100 students, the faculty body has grown significantly, and the School’s budget has nearly doubled. In addition, last year the School completed an $8.1 million renovation and expansion project—the first in its history.

The School of Nursing’s prominence nationally has also been enhanced considerably as evidenced in part by its climbing from 28th to 12th in the national ranks of nursing schools receiving National Institutes of Health grants.

“Pat’s vision for nursing education is helping shape the future of health care in Western New York and beyond,” said University of Rochester Medical Center CEO Bradford C. Berk, MD, PhD. “Her creative approaches to improving nursing practice, dedication to supporting entrepreneurship in the field and keen ability to spot emerging trends and opportunities for growth have put the School of Nursing on the map as a national model for success.”

The endowed chair was established in honor of Dr. Pamela York Klainer through the generosity of numerous donors. York Klainer is an entrepreneur, financial expert, philanthropist and author of the nationally-recognized book, “How Much is Enough? Harness the Power of Your Money Story - and Change Your Life.”

York Klainer and her late husband, Dr. Jeremy (Jerry) Klainer, both successful entrepreneurs, shared a passion for entrepreneurship and deep commitment to maximizing the professional potential of nurses. They have supported the School of Nursing in a number of ways including establishing an endowed fund for the CNE and the Dr. Jeremy A. Klainer Entrepreneurial Scholarship Fund. York Klainer has also taught classes on entrepreneurship at the School and has served as a longtime advisor.

“Pam’s own experience as a successful entrepreneur, coupled with her dedication to supporting the nursing profession, make her endorsement of this endowed chair a powerful affirmation of the promise of nursing entrepreneurship,” said Joel Seligman, President of the University. “Future generations of nurses and the patients they serve will benefit greatly from her vision.”

“My belief is the people who are closest to patients are in the best position to spot opportunities for innovation,” said York Klainer. “Because of the holistic model of health care, nurses are uniquely positioned to develop new ways to provide care. But they need to be thought of as idea and revenue generators rather than overhead expenses. It is my hope that through the enhancement of entrepreneurship education, we’ll continue to see nurses empowered and the paradigm change.”

An accomplished educator, skilled clinician and administrator, Chiverton has been a member of the School of Nursing Faculty since 1984 and has served the School in various capacities including: interim dean, associate dean for clinical affairs, CEO of the Community Nursing Center and interim chair for the health care services division. She also served as the clinical chief of psychiatric mental health nursing at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Chiverton is a member of a number of professional organizations, including the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA), the American Organization of Nurse Executives, the New York State Nurses Association and Sigma Theta Tau’s Epsilon Xi Chapter. Throughout her career, she has also been the recipient of numerous awards and professional accolades, including most recently a National Academy of Practice Fellow and the Excellence in Leadership Award from the APNA.

Chiverton earned her BSN from Central Missouri University, her MS in psychiatric mental health nursing from the University of Rochester, and an EdD from the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. Her academic work has been published in more than 20 national peer-reviewed journals.

For more information, contact:
Ryan McGinn
(585) 276-3505
Ryan_McGinn@urmc.rochester.edu

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