Congratulations! Wittmann-Price to lead FMU&#39s nursing program | SCNow

Ruth A. Wittmann-Price, a former assistant professor and coordinator for the Educational Track in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at Drexel University, has been named head of the nursing program at Francis Marion University.

FMU President Dr. Fred Carter said Wittmann-Price will join the FMU faculty as professor of nursing and chairwoman for the Department of Nursing. In this capacity, she is expected to provide dedicated, dynamic leadership and intellectual vision for the School of Nursing; provide mentorship for enhancing faculty and student scholarly endeavors; and interface effectively with the School of Nursing faculty and staff prepared at varying levels of education and expertise, with an interdisciplinary university community, and with clinical entities and systems within the larger external environment.

“Educating future nurses and nurse educators is essential to the future of Francis Marion University, and we are delighted to have Dr. Wittmann-Price join us in this endeavor,” Carter said in a press release issued by the university. “She is an accomplished teacher, researcher and has extensive experience in developing nursing curricula.”

Wittmann-Price has been an obstetrical/women’s health nurse for 30 years. She received an associate’s degree in applied science and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Felician College in Lodi, N.J., in 1978 and 1981, respectively. She earned a master’s degree as a perinatal clinical nurse specialist from Columbia University in New York in 1983. She completed her doctorate in nursing science at Widener University in Chester, Pa., in 2006, where she received the dean’s award for excellence.

She developed a mid-range nursing theory, “Emancipated Decision-Making in Women’s Health Care” and has tested her theory in three research studies. In addition to continuing her research on decisional science, she studies developmental outcomes of preterm infants. She was also the appointed research coordinator for Hahnemann University Hospital and oversaw the evidence-based practice projects for nursing.

Wittmann-Price has taught all levels of nursing for the past 12 years and has completed an international service-learning trip. She is co-editor and chapter contributor of two books, “Nursing Education: Foundations for Practice Excellence” and “The Certified Nurse Examination (CNE) Review Manual.” She has published many articles and has presented regionally, nationally and internationally.