LCC
selects Miller new Dean for Health Sciences
Zapata resident Dianna L. Miller—a veteran nursing administrator, educator and practitioner—has been appointed Dean of Health Sciences at Laredo Community College.
Miller, who served as interim dean from November 2002 to August 2003, began her association with LCC in 1990 as nursing instructor. She later served as department chair of the college’s Vocational Nursing and Associate Degree Nursing programs.
“Laredo Community College is pleased to announce the selection of Dianna Miller as the new Dean of Health Sciences,” said LCC President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina.
Ms. Miller has a long list of impressive credentials, and, in her short time as interim dean, has demonstrated the leadership qualities needed to ensure the continued success of Laredo Community College’s nursing and allied health programs,” added Dovalina.
Dr. Juan Maldonado, Vice-President of Instruction and Student Development, explained that a committee of college faculty and staff who reviewed applications recommended Miller for the position based on her qualifications and her familiarity with LCC, its programs and the area healthcare industry.
“Laredo Community College is fortunate to have Dianna Miller assume the reigns of this crucial instructional division,” said Maldonado. She possesses a wealth of experience and first-hand knowledge of the college and the healthcare workforce needs of South Texas.”
Miller said that she looks forward to the exciting challenges that await her and plans to work closely with faculty and staff to enhance the quality of instruction needed to produce competent and caring health care providers for the benefit of the community and region.
“I
am pleased to be working with such a team-oriented group of faculty members and
staff in the Health Sciences Division,” said Miller.
“Everyone assists each other in their roles and promotes cohesiveness
and student success. The outcome of
the LCC Health Sciences Division is to develop outstanding entry-level health
care workers for our community, especially since health care professions are in
great demand due to shortages throughout the nation.”
Miller
plans to work with her staff to focus on the recruitment and retention of
nursing and allied health students during the 2003-2004 academic year.
Approximately 270 students are currently pursuing career training in
LCC’s allied health and nursing programs.
The
Division is working to acquire grants to assist students and faculty in these
programs. Mentoring programs, to
pair faculty with students throughout their entire educational experience at
LCC, are also being explored.
Miller
joined LCC in August 1990 as an instructor for the ADN and VN programs.
After a short stint as director of education and R.N. (registered nurse)
supervisor from 1994 to 1995 at Guardian Angel Home Health Care in Zapata, she
returned to LCC in 1996 to teach vocational nursing classes.
Miller
was promoted to V.N. Department Chair in 1997 before assuming the directorship
of the A.D.N. program, a title she held until her most recent promotion.
Miller
graduated with honors in 1994 from Incarnate Word College, where she obtained a
Master of Science in Nursing with concentration in advanced practice nursing as
Clinical Nursing Specialist.
She
received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the School of Nursing at
Capital University in her hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
Miller
began her career as a staff R.N. for Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio in
1982.
In
1983, she became a missionary nurse in Papua, New Guinea for the Churches of
Christ in Christian Union, based in Circleville, Ohio.
In
1987, she was a special care nursery staff nurse at Grant Medical Center in
Columbus, before assuming the position of charge R.N. in the neonatal intensive
care unit of Mercy Regional Medical Center in 1989.
Since
2000, Miller has been a peer evaluator of A.D.N. and V.N. programs for the
National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
She
was a two-year member of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Nurse
Advisory Committee. She worked with
a team of B.S.N. and A.D.N. members to develop core-nursing curriculum for the
state of Texas.
Miller
developed two grants and was awarded a $47,000 Coordinating Board grant to
implement the Associate Degree Nursing Student Hotline, which was implemented in
the spring of 2002 and completed in August 2003.
As the leading provider of health sciences education for South Texas, LCC prepares students for nine health-related careers, all of which are fully accredited model programs, thanks to student achievement on national and state board certifications.
In the allied health division, LCC offers training for careers in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Medical Office Assistant/Coding Technician, Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT), Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA), Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) and Radiologic Technology (RT).
The nursing program includes instruction for Associate Degree Nursing, Associate Degree Nursing Transition Track, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistant (Aide).
The length of the programs varies from one-semester to two-years.
For more information, visit the college online at www.laredo.edu or contact the LCC Health Sciences Division by calling 721-5262. Office hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
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West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
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