Release Date: Monday, May 21, 2012
Charleston, W.Va. – The University of Charleston has hired Dr. Josephine Kahler as dean for the School of Health Sciences. She succeeds Dr. Martha Rader, who retired last year. Kahler, a native of New Zealand, holds her original nursing license from Christchurch, New Zealand. In addition, she earned undergraduate degrees in nursing and psychology from the University of South Dakota, a master’s in nursing from South Dakota State, and a Ph.D. in education administration from the University of South Dakota.
Dr. Kahler has extensive experience in healthcare education and administration, from teaching basic healthcare skills to medical students in South Dakota to opening a new bachelor’s degree program in nursing at Frances Marion University in South Carolina. Her most recent employment was as the founding dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M – Texarkana, where she started a bachelor’s degree program in nursing, and added both traditional and online master’s programs.
When asked about her top priorities for the UC nursing program, Kahler said, “First, to move nursing forward to meet the healthcare needs and challenges of Charleston and the state. A recent Institute of Medicine report stated that by 2020, 80 percent of all bedside nurses will have a bachelor’s degree. We want to be ahead of that demand.”
According to Dr. Letha Zook, University Provost, “Dr. Kahler brings tremendous experience and an international background to the University of Charleston. Her role in start-up programs is a great fit for the university’s needs.”
