Catherine Gilliss, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, is the dean of Duke’s School of Nursing, as well as the Helene Fuld Health Trust Professor of Nursing and vice chancellor for nursing affairs.

Gilliss’ career has been devoted to graduate nursing education, with a scientific focus on the family and chronic illness.

At Duke, she has presided over the approval and initiation of the Ph.D. degree program in nursing and the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program, the construction of a new 59,000 square-foot building, and the development of the School of Nursing’s strategic plan. In 2012, construction began on a 45,000-square-foot wing to accommodate further growth of the school’s research and academic programs.

The school has also placed in the top 10 in both U.S. News & World Report rankings and among nursing schools doing research funded by the NIH.

A graduate of Duke’s undergraduate nursing program, Gilliss is the first alumna in the School of Nursing’s 82-year history to hold the position of dean. She is also the first-ever vice chancellor for nursing affairs at Duke.

Gilliss has been recognized by the International Society for Family Nursing with its Lifetime Achievement in Research Award; received the Yale School of Nursing Medal; and holds honorary degrees from Yale and the University of Portland.