Columbia University leader will also serve as Associate Chief Nurse for Academic Affairs at Massachusetts General Hospital

Maura Abbott, PhD, AOCNP, CPNP-PC&AC, FAAN, has been appointed Dean for the School of Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions. She will also serve as Associate Chief Nurse for Academic Affairs at Massachusetts General Hospital; both posts take effect September 1, 2025.

Dr. Abbott currently serves as Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and Associate Professor at Columbia University School of Nursing, where she has led transformative initiatives in oncology care, academic-clinical integration, and nursing workforce development. A nationally recognized nurse scientist, educator, and clinical leader, Abbott brings more than two decades of experience in adult and pediatric oncology, community-based practice innovation, and academic nursing leadership.

“Dr. Abbott is a bold, collaborative leader with a deep commitment to academic excellence, health equity, and preparing the next generation of nurses and nurse leaders,” said Reamer L. Bushardt, PharmD, PA-C, DFAAPA, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “Her appointment comes at a pivotal time as the Institute expands its nursing workforce initiatives, deepens its partnership with Mass General Brigham, and leads regional and national strategies to address the nursing shortage and evolving care needs of our communities.”

In her new role, Abbott will lead one of New England’s most prominent graduate nursing schools, which enrolls more than 550 students across bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and advanced certificate programs. In her role as Associate Chief Nurse for Academic Affairs at Massachusetts General Hospital, she will collaborate closely with clinical nursing leaders across the system to strengthen academic-clinical partnerships, enhance the pipeline for nursing talent, and align education with evolving care models.

“Dr. Abbott’s appointment creates exciting new opportunities to advance shared academic/practice partnerships and priorities across Massachusetts General Hospital and the Mass General Brigham system,” said Debbie Burke, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse and Senior Vice President for Patient Care Services at Massachusetts General Hospital. “She will be a key partner in helping us build stronger clinical-academic collaborations, develop innovative workforce strategies, and support the professional growth of nurses at every level—from student to leader.”

Abbott is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, has held a leadership role with the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, and has worked with the National Cancer Institute, and Dr. Jill Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative. She has led nationally recognized programs in oncology urgent care, rural and urban cancer survivorship, mobile community screening, and pathway programs for nursing students.

“I am honored to join the MGH Institute and Mass General Brigham,” said Abbott, who has been at Columbia University since 2014. “It’s not often you get an opportunity to lead an entity that’s integrated into an academic health center, but that’s what the MGH Institute is, and why it’s so unique. This is an incredible chance to lead in a time of rapid change and to build powerful connections between education, practice, and research that will strengthen nursing and improve health for all.”

Abbott earned her PhD and MSN from Yale University and holds board certification as both an adult oncology and pediatric nurse practitioner. She will replace Professor Pat Reidy, who has served as interim dean for the past year and who is retiring this summer. 

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