THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Barbara R. Heller, EdD, RN, FAAN, is a national leader in health workforce policy and education.  As Executive Director, she envisions the Center as a dynamic resource that is quick to respond to challenges facing all health care professions.

Dr. Heller served as Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing, 1990 to 2002 and as Chairman, Department of Education, Administration, Informatics and Health Policy in the School, 1985 to 1990.  Previously, Dr. Heller was Assistant Dean for Academic Programs, College of Nursing, Villanova University, and Chairman, Department of Nursing, State University of New York at Farmingdale.  She also served as Director, Research and Education, Nursing Department, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health (NIH), and as a Congressional Fellow in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Dr. Heller is a member of the Leadership Maryland Class of 1996 and in 1998, she was named one of the first Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellows. Dr. Heller is also Rauschenbach Distinguished Professor in the School of Nursing. 

As a member of numerous state, regional, national, international boards and commissions related to health care and public policy issues, Dr. Heller frequently contributes to professional journals and general publications.  Often sought for TV, radio, and print media interviews, as well as to provide legislative testimony and consultation in her areas of expertise, she has been named to the Circle of Excellence of Maryland's Top 100 Women.