Deborah Jones, PhD, MSN, RN, FAAN, began her role as the seventh president of the MGH Institute of Health Professions in January 2026. Prior to this appointment, she served as Chief Integration Officer, Senior Vice President & School of Nursing Dean for The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB). Dr. Jones joins the Institute with an extensive background in academic nursing leadership, interprofessional education, academic–clinical system collaboration, expanding educational programs, and strengthening clinical and community partnerships. Under Jones’ leadership as nursing dean, BSN graduates from UTMB achieved the highest NCLEX pass rates among large schools in Texas for four consecutive years, faculty retention exceeded 98%, doctoral preparation of faculty increased from 57% to 98%, and the previously unranked research enterprise is now in the top 50% of U.S. nursing schools in NIH funding.
When Jones served as UTMB’s Interim Provost for a year, she had leadership oversight and fiscal accountability for the entire academic enterprise, including more than 4,000 employees, 3,800 students, and a $788 million budget. She advanced strategic initiatives that strengthened financial sustainability, expanded academic programs, improved clinical placement alignment, and enhanced faculty recruitment and retention.