Dr. Pamela Slaven-Lee has been selected as the next Dean of the College of Health and Education at Marymount University. Starting in June 2023, she will lead a respected and innovative College consisting of four Schools of nursing, health sciences, education and counseling.
Her appointment was the result of a comprehensive national search process and she will take the place of Dr. Kenneth Harwood, who is retiring following the conclusion of the current semester.
Previously, Dr. Slaven-Lee served as the interim dean of the George Washington (GW) University School of Nursing from July 2021 to January 2023, and also served as the senior associate dean for academic affairs at the school since 2019. Additionally, she previously held faculty and leadership appointments at Uniformed Services University and Georgetown University School of Nursing and Health Studies.
“Dr. Slaven-Lee is a proven leader in nursing and health care professions, and she is the best choice to lead the College of Health and Education at this time of growth and exciting changes at Marymount,” said Dr. Hesham El-Rewini, Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs at Marymount University. “She brings a tremendous portfolio of skills and experiences, and I am fully confident that she will effectively shape the future of the College for more success and prosperity.”
During her tenure at the GW School of Nursing, Dr. Slaven-Lee directed several impactful initiatives that were instrumental in the school’s advancement and exponential growth in its first decade. She was the architect of its Master Plan of Evaluation, which details the assessment of each program at regular intervals and guarantees ongoing program evaluation, appropriate resource allocation to meet program outcome goals and robust mechanisms for faculty governance. She also designed and implemented a competency-based model of clinical placement for all graduate students, ensured proper vetting of all potential placements in alignment with state Board of Nursing regulations and instituted faculty training to foster diverse and inclusive classrooms, as well as training for those developing online course offerings.
Dr. Slaven-Lee is known for effectively leading with positive change and impactful innovation, creating strategic academic practice partnerships and securing external funding from health care corporations. She has a demonstrated ability to sustain an organization’s vision in times of significant change and adversity, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, her ability to energize teams, operationalize strategic plans and elevate academic programs to nationally ranked status are skills that have contributed to her success in academic leadership.
Recently, Dr. Slaven-Lee led efforts to secure a partnership with UnitedHealth Group to create a Complex Adult/Geriatric Fellowship Program, which launched in Fall 2022 and is now enrolling a third cohort of students. In addition, she spearheaded the development of the certified nurse midwifery program at GW, which will begin enrolling students in Fall 2024.
“Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to have incredible colleagues and mentors. Because of their willingness to invest in me, I believe I’ve learned how to successfully maneuver the balance between dedication to mission, sound business management and the principles of servant leadership,” Dr. Slaven-Lee said. “I’ve been privileged to have the opportunity to gain the experience necessary to earn a reputation as a strategic, outcomes-driven, team-oriented academic leader that consistently exceeds expectations, maximizes resources and inspires creativity and collaboration. I am tremendously grateful for the opportunity to join the Marymount University team.”
In addition to her nursing school roles, Dr. Slaven-Lee is a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, a Sigma Theta Tau Experienced Nurse Leadership Academy scholar, a previous Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator and a Family Nurse Practitioner. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing from the University of Maine, and earned a doctorate in nursing practice from Case Western University. Outside of nursing, she is a founding board member of the Wreaths across America nonprofit, which seeks to remember fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.
She is a proud member of an active-duty Marine Corps family and lives in northern Virginia with her husband, Lt. Col. Ho K. Lee, and three sons.
