CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2019 - 4

As CU Nursing dean, Pat's
leadership has had a lasting
and pivotal influence," said
Provost and Executive Vice
Chancellor for Academic
and Student Affairs
Roderick Nairn, PhD.

COLLEGE
The Life and Legacy
of Dean Pat Moritz
FORMER DEAN AND PROFESSOR EMERITA PAT MORITZ,
PHD, LEAVES HER MARK

By Frank Moritz and Dana Brandorff

ur College and the Anschutz Medical Campus
lost a stalwart supporter and influential former leader with the death of Pat Moritz, PhD,
on March 7, 2019. As dean of the College of
Nursing from 2001-2012, Dr. Moritz had a
tremendous impact on our College and the
Anschutz Medical Campus.

Besides being widely known, respected and admired by her
campus colleagues, Moritz was instrumental in the growth
of the CU School of Nursing, where her service spanned two
decades. Starting as an adjoint associate professor in 1992, her
roles included associate dean for research, director of the Center
for Nursing Research, and director of the National Center for
Children, Families and Communities. She served as interim dean
of the College for a year before becoming dean in 2002.
"As CU Nursing dean, Pat's leadership has had a lasting and
pivotal influence," said Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
for Academic and Student Affairs Roderick Nairn, PhD. Moritz
oversaw the move from the former Health Sciences Center on
Ninth Avenue to the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in 2007.
She led the name change process from the School of Nursing
to the College of Nursing. Under her management, CU Nursing
developed the doctorate of nursing practice degree (DNP); created
the Integrated Nursing Pathway Program with two community
colleges; and implemented a new BS and PhD curricula. "She also
led the college out of financially difficult times, providing financial
stability that well positioned it for the future," said Nairn.

CU College of Nursing

Dean
Pat Moritz

According to faculty member Marilyn Krajicek, "Pat was
always up for a challenge. And as dean, there were several
under her watch." Moritz retired as professor emerita in 2012.
Prior to her arrival at CU, Moritz had a long and distinguished
career in nursing, health care research and higher education.
She earned her BS and MS degrees from the Johns Hopkins
University, and a PhD from the University of Maryland. She
was a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and a
member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of
Nursing. She also led and participated in numerous funded
research studies, and authored a large number of peer-reviewed research publications.
She began her clinical career as a specialist in maternal-child
health in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Johns Hopkins
Hospital, and later moved to the Washington Hospital Center

CU Nursing - Spring/Summer 2019

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