MGH Institute Welcomes Its New Leader, Deborah Jones

Sean Hennessey

Date

January 23, 2026

Topics

Area of Expertise

Leadership & Org Change

Says focus is “listening, learning, and building relationships” and IHP voices “essential as we shape the path forward together”

The MGH Institute welcomed its new president on Tuesday, as Deborah Jones officially became the seventh leader after being selected as the successor to Paula Milone-Nuzzo last fall.

“Hi y’all,” said the beaming Texan to a classroom full of first-year physician assistant students. “I am so happy to be here.”

And so began a whirlwind week involving a series of “meet and greets” as Jones gets to know the people of the MGH Institute, its place within the Mass General Brigham health system, and its culture.

“And as you can imagine, I have a lot to learn,” she continued. “And I'm hoping by coming through and meeting with folks and saying hi, you can at least you put a face to my name, and I can put a name to yours.”

Each visit was met with warm smiles, applause, and intrigue as Jones began connecting with her new community.

“I have an ask for you,” Jones told one group of students. “I’m going to be out and about, whether in classrooms or walking the campus. Please stop and say hello. Tell me who you are, what program you're in, how things are going. It really is about me understanding and really getting a feel for what I already felt like I knew from the interview process of just what makes this place so special.”

At every turn, the new president gave kudos to her predecessor, Paula Milone-Nuzzo, the Institute’s president emerita, who accompanied Jones to nearly every stop this week.

“She's why everything is possible,” Jones told physician assistant students. “Eight years of legacy here; there are some big shoes to fill.”

As Jones looked on, Milone-Nuzzo told students she knows the Institute’s new leader will move us forward, “and that’s all we can ask for. So thrilled she is here.”

During her stop to say hello at the School of Nursing Dean’s Council, Jones said she will be “listening and learning.”

“(The Institute) is more amazing than you could ever imagine,” said Dean Maura Abbott, who came from Columbia University last summer. “This has been best place I've ever been.”

Later in the day, Jones told another audience how lucky she was that Milone-Nuzzo is such an integral part of her transition.

“Who gets the transition into a role like this, or really any role, and have someone with such a legacy, someone who is revered and respected all across the Institute?” asked Jones, rhetorically. “She is really giving me everything, the keys to the kingdom, if you will. And I'm very much appreciative of the support and guidance that she's already provided, even before I started here.

“Dr. Milone-Nuzzo has left a great legacy that I am looking forward to helping advance to that next level.”

In her email greeting to the MGH Institute community Tuesday, Jones noted her focus is “on listening, learning, and building relationships. In the weeks ahead, I look forward to spending time with students, faculty, and staff to better understand what makes the Institute special, and to hearing your perspectives on where we have momentum and where you see opportunity. Your voices will be essential as we shape the path forward together.”

Jones joked that she might have to lose the “Hi, y’all” picked her during her 18 years in Texas, and that her blood has thinned.

“I'm getting used to the cold, so bear with me,” Jones said to chuckles. “I don't have any boots, so you may see this person walking around with sneakers.”

While meeting various groups, Jones also got a closer look at assets such as the Simulation and Skills Labs, and the IMPACT Practice Center.

“Just as I'm sure you're probably excited with a little bit of nervousness,” Jones told first semester nursing students in Shouse. “Guess what? I am also excited with a little bit of nervousness in terms of what's coming up. The Institute is amazing. I'm excited about the next steps for it and I hope you are too.”

During a stop in the Skills Lab, the new president thanked new students for choosing the MGH Institute, and added, “I want to encourage you to keep going. There may be times when you’re going to wonder why you’re doing what you’re doing. And should you be doing it? Yes. Absolutely, yes.”

In between obtaining her ID badge at Massachusetts General Hospital and getting email up and running, there were meetings with the Cabinet, President’s Council, calls with donors, a visit to Assembly Row for the Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration, and yesterday's Welcome Back Wine and Cheese gathering.

A busy week indeed, but informative and foundational too.

A classroom full of students listens to two people speaking at the front — The Principles of Psychiatry class Tuesday morning was the first class Jones visited. She told students, “Thank you for being the future leaders of tomorrow as physician assistants.”

Two women stand inside a classroom door — Accompanying President Jones to her many stops this week was President Emerita Paula Milone-Nuzzo. As Jones looked on, Milone-Nuzzo told students she knows the Institute’s new president will move us forward, “and that’s all we can ask for.” To the right is Associate Professor Lauryn Zipse.

A woman stands talking to a group of people in medical scrubs sitting in front of her — In the Skills Lab, Jones thanked students for choosing the MGH Institute, and added, “I want to encourage you to keep going. There may be times when you’re going to wonder why you’re doing what you’re doing. And should you be doing it? Yes. Absolutely, yes.”

People sit around a conference table — President Jones shares a laugh with School of Nursing Dean Maura Abbott (left side, in maroon sweater) and the rest of the Dean’s Council.

Two women talk to each other with computer equipment and a window in the background — Instructor Kerri O'Regan (r), a nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital, showed President Jones the inside of the Simulation Lab booth.

People in medical scrubs stand in a hallway talking to a woman in a suit — President Jones also spent part her first day on campus in the Simulation Lab, where spoke with students who were taking part in a mental health nursing simulation.

Two women sit at a table — Past and Present: President Emerita Paula Milone-Nuzzo shares a laugh with President Deborah Jones during one of several meetings the two had this week.

Two women stand facing a class with students at tables — Psychiatry Instructor Jessica Spissinger (r) shares a laugh while introducing President Jones to her physician assistant students.

people sitting around a large table — Jones held her first Cabinet meeting this week too, meeting with her direct reports to learn about significant accomplishments and pressing issues.

A woman stands in front of a class of students sitting at tables — President Deborah Jones stopped by Shouse 305 to say hello to first-year students in the Master’s of Speech Language Pathology program. Among the topics dicussed: after being in Texas for 18 years, she’ll need to get used to the cold.

group of people smiling around a table — The President’s Council, an advisory board to the president, met with the Institute’s new leader this week. Here, President Jones chats with Council chair Peter Brown (l) and President Emerita Paula Milone-Nuzzo.

A room full of people at a social gathering — Faculty and Staff had the chance to meet President Jones at the well-attended Wine and Cheese Welcome.

Three people talk at a party — Jennifer Durning (l), Alex Hoyt (c), and President Jones share a laugh at the Wine and Cheese Welcome on Thursday evening.

Three people stand talking to each other — President Jones spent her time at the Wine and Cheese Welcome meeting employees like Annie Holland (l) and Julia Yi (r).