School Notes: School of Nursing
September/October 2025

Faculty named to endowed positions

Four YSN faculty members have been awarded endowed professorships, among the highest honors conferred by Yale University. These prestigious positions, which recognize significant achievements in research, teaching, and leadership, are awarded for the entirety of the recipient’s career at Yale. Professor Xiaomei Cong is now the Beatrice Renfield Professor of Nursing; Associate Professor Deena Costa is the Helen Porter Jayne and Martha Prosser Jayne Professor of Nursing; Associate Professor Soohyun Nam is the Gayle King Lee Professor of Nursing; and Professor Xuehong Zhang is the Florence Wald Professor of Nursing. Their research areas include bio-behavioral mechanisms of pain and stress, critical care team optimization, cardiometabolic health disparities, gastrointestinal disease prevention, and global health. These appointments underscore YSN’s dedication to advancing healthcare and mentoring future nurse leaders.

Improving care for persons with developmental disabilities

Yale School of Nursing received a $7.7 million donation from alumni Susanna Peyton ’83MSN and John Campbell ’84PhD to enhance education for nurses who treat individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The Strength Fund endowment aims to equip future nurses and midwifery students with specialized skills and knowledge crucial for IDD care. This donation is the second-largest single gift in YSN’s history and contributes to the $50 million Yale Challenge goal. Initiatives supported by the fund include incorporating IDD content into all YSN specialties, launching a master’s-level concentration in IDD, and establishing clinical partnerships. 

International honors for YSN dean

YSN Dean Azita Emami was awarded an honorary fellowship from the UK-based Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the world’s largest nursing union and professional body. RCN presents honorary fellowships to outstanding leaders who have demonstrated significant evidence of an extraordinary contribution to the profession of nursing.