West Palm Beach, Fla. April 24, 2024 — Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Kimberly Fenstermacher as the new Dean of the School of Nursing. Dr. Fenstermacher will officially assume her leadership role on August 1, bringing a wealth of experience and a solid commitment to excellence in nursing education.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr. Fenstermacher to the School of Nursing at PBA,” said Dr. Stephen Johnson, provost and chief academic officer at PBA. “Her faith, her scholarship, her successful leadership in nursing education, and her authentic care for students, faculty, and the community she serves—all combine to take our School of Nursing to new heights.”
Dr. Fenstermacher’s extensive background includes significant teaching, research, and leadership roles across various nursing education settings. Most recently she served at Messiah University in Pennsylvania as the Assistant Dean of Nursing for graduate and undergraduate programs and a tenured Professor of Nursing. Prior to that, she held positions with York College of Pennsylvania as an Associate Professor of Nursing and Director of their graduate programs. She worked with UPMC PinnacleHealth as a Research Consultant and Project Director and early in her career, she was Assistant Head Nurse at Sinai Hospital of Baltimore.
She holds a Ph.D. in Nursing from Pennsylvania State University, where she also earned her master’s degree as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. Dr. Fenstermacher holds a BSN from Boston University and is one of the authors of “Called to Care: A Christian Vision for Nursing.” Dr. Fenstermacher and her husband Craig have two grown children. Their daughter Anna (Fenstermacher) is a PBA alumna who graduated in 2018 and lives in West Palm Beach. Their son Andrew is married to Desiree, and they live in the Philadelphia area.
“I am honored to serve as the next Dean of the School of Nursing at PBA,” said Dr. Fenstermacher. “I am looking forward to leading the committed team of nursing faculty and staff as we work together to educate future nurses as excellent clinicians and ethical leaders who will go forward to be the hands and feet of Christ.”
Dr. Fenstermacher’s appointment is part of PBA’s ongoing commitment to advancing its mission through the recruitment of exceptional leaders with a demonstrated dedication to student success. The new Dean will play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing education at PBA, enhancing the institution’s programs, strengthening health care partnerships and fostering an environment of learning and professional growth for both students and faculty.
PBA’s School of Nursing offers a comprehensive array of programs across all levels of nursing education. Undergraduate students can pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, which is also available in an accelerated format for RNs (Registered Nurses) and at the Orlando campus for upper-level students. Graduate offerings include a Master of Science in Nursing with tracks in Health Systems Leadership. Advanced Practice Nurses can enhance their expertise through the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program, which offers specializations in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Executive Leadership, Family Nurse Practice, and Psychiatric Mental Health. PBA’s School of Nursing’s robust curriculum prepares students for licensing and certification exams relevant to their specific programs, such as the NCLEX for BSN graduates and various national certification exams for DNP specialties.
View more on PBA’s School of Nursing programs and accreditation here.
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About Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach Atlantic University, founded in 1968, is a private, Christian university, offering 100 different programs and pathways, including undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees and professional degrees. The university has a 19-acre campus in West Palm Beach and an Orlando campus, and the 78-acre Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Athletic Campus provides facilities for training and hosting intercollegiate sports. Sailfish athletes compete in 18 NCAA Division II and Sunshine State Conference varsity sports. PBA affirms the values that have built American society, including religious liberty and the free enterprise system. The university is dedicated to the integration of biblical principles to prepare students for learning, leadership, and service. Learn more at www.pba.edu.
