School of Nursing Leadership

Stephen J. Cavanagh, Ph.D., M.P.A., R.N., F.A.C.H.E., F.A.A.N.
Stephen J. Cavanagh is the Dignity Health Dean’s Chair for Nursing Leadership, dean and professor. Cavanagh leads the School of Nursing and collaborates with the interprofessional Nursing Science and Health-Care Leadership Graduate Group in the operation of five graduate degree programs as well as development of new programs.

Kupiri W. Ackerman-Barger, Ph.D., R.N., C.N.E., F.A.A.N.
Kupiri “Piri” Ackerman-Barger is associate dean for associate dean for Student Affairs and Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as well as clinical professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. In this position, leads the school’s efforts to create a diverse and welcoming setting in which to learn, work and collaborate. She also designs initiatives so the school’s learning environments, workforce, programs, services and partnerships are more diverse and inclusive.

Deb Bakerjian, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., F.A.A.N., F.A.A.N.P., F.G.S.A.
Deb Bakerjian is the associate dean for practice and a clinical professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. As the interim associate dean for practice, she leads the school’s clinical enterprise, including oversight of clinical faculty practice development and implementation, UC Davis Health and community strategic partnerships and advocacy, interprofessional practice and clinical partnerships and strategies for the school’s contribution to the Healthy Aging Clinic.

Janice F. Bell, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.N., F.A.A.N.
Janice F. Bell is the associate dean for research, Western Health Advantage Endowed Professor and professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. In her role as associate dean and director for the doctoral program, she provides leadership, guidance and mentorship in research to faculty, students and staff in advancing the school’s research program as well as contribute to the development of the next generation of nurse scientists. She also teaches doctoral courses.

Amy A. Nichols, Ed.D., R.N., C.N.S., C.H.S.E
Amy Nichols is the associate dean for academics and a clinical professor at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. As associate dean for academics, she partners with school and program leaders to oversee the school’s graduate-degree programs, collaborate on curriculum changes, review workload and enhance inclusion plans for faculty and liaise with UC Davis campus units.  

Holly Evans, M.B.A., S.H.R.M.-S.C.P.
Holly Evans is senior assistant dean for finance and administration at the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis. In that role, she serves as a key adviser to the dean and the leadership team of the school. Evans leads in business strategy, financial management, forecasting, human resources, organizational development, policy setting, risk management, and operations. She is also responsible for developing, implementing and overseeing administrative systems in the school as it expands degree programs, enrollment, a clinical enterprise, and research projects.

Jana Katz-Bell, M.P.H.
Jana Katz-Bell is the senior assistant dean for strategic initiatives at UC Davis Health. She oversees programs that bridge the nursing and medical schools and also seeks new opportunities for interprofessional programs and collaboration at UC Davis Health. In her role at the School of Nursing, Katz-Bell leads several initiatives at the school, with a focus on strategic development and management. Her portfolio includes several initiatives to improve care for people 65 and older, the largest growing segment of the population.