Dr. Susan B Stillwell, DNP, Associate Dean for Graduate Education at the University of Portland, School of Nursing, has been recognized as a “Leader in Nursing” among “America’s Best Nurses” for 2017. She will be sharing her knowledge and expertise in Evidence-Based Practice, Nursing, Nursing Education, Curriculum and Program Development, and Nursing Education Research.

Dr. Stillwell has been active in the healthcare industry for the last 44 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the College of Saint Teresa in 1972, her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida in 1982, her Post-Master’s Certificate in Evidence-based Practice from Arizona State University in 2007, and her Doctor of Nursing Practice from Samford University in 2009.

Dr. Stillwell’s day-to-day responsibilities include administration of the Doctor of Nursing and Master of Science degree programs within the University of Portland School of Nursing. She has been recognized for her professional accomplishments by the American Academy of Nursing, National League for Nursing, and American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

Dr. Stillwell attributes her success to her passion for improving patient, provider, and organizational outcomes and to her mentors in healthcare and higher education. She is proud of her work in advancing evidence-based practice in schools of nursing and healthcare organizations. Her long-term goals include continuing her personal and professional growth, creating graduate programs to meet the needs of our changing healthcare system, and continuing the advancement of evidence-based practice in healthcare in order to promote best practices to improve provider and organizational outcomes.

Dr. Stillwell is well-known for creating the Nurse Educator Evidence-Based Practice mentorship program and is highly regarded for her excellence in teaching, expertise in evidence-based practice, and dissemination of work in peer-reviewed publications. She works with the Providence Portland Medical Foundation’s Grants Review Committee to provide service to advance nursing and nursing education. Her professional awards and honors include: Fellow, American Academy of Nursing; Fellow, Academy of Nursing Education, National League for Nursing; Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Excellence Award, American Association of Colleges of Nursing; Women Scholars Initiative: John R. Raymon Mentor Award, Medical University of South Carolina; Ida V. Moffet Living Legacy Award, School of Nursing Samford University; Courage to Care Award, School of Nursing Samford University; Year of the Nurse Award: Nursing Education, March of Dimes; and Distinguished Faculty Award, Arizona State University College of Nursing Alumni Association.

In her free time, Dr. Stillwell enjoys golf, travel, and public speaking engagements.