President's Report Masthead
June 30, 2016

Mario Ortiz named Decker Dean

Executive Vice President and Provost Donald Nieman announces that Mario Ortiz will be the next dean of the Decker School of Nursing. Ortiz comes to Binghamton from his position as dean and professor of nursing at the Vera Z. Dwyer College of Health Sciences at Indiana University South Bend. He begins his duties July 1.

“Dr. Ortiz has a clear vision for the Decker School that aligns with our Road Map strategic plan and is forward-thinking,” Nieman said. “His collaborative approach and his interest in expanding the Decker School’s academic offerings are what we need to develop a broader view of the future of nursing and how the discipline can position itself within the health sciences.”

“I am impressed by the energy, experience and enthusiasm Dr. Ortiz has shown when talking about his vision for the Decker School, and I am confident that he will be an effective and successful leader for the school as it becomes a cornerstone of the Southern Tier Health Sciences Innovation and Technology Park in Johnson City,” President Harvey Stenger said.

Ortiz received a bachelor of arts in art history and humanities from Valparaiso University before changing direction and earning his bachelor’s degree in nursing and his master’s in advanced professional nursing with a focus on community health nursing from Valparaiso. His PhD in nursing is from Loyola University in Chicago and he also completed post-master’s programs in distance nursing education from the W. Cary Edwards School of Nursing at Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey, and as a family nurse practitioner from Valparaiso.

Prior to his position at Indiana University, Ortiz chaired the Department of Nursing at Purdue University North Central. He has also been on the faculty at the University of Portland, Cleveland State University, the University of Nevada, Reno, and DePaul University.

Ortiz is licensed to practice nursing in Indiana and Vermont, and holds certifications as a clinical nurse specialist in public/community health nursing, and as a nurse practitioner. He has collaborated on over $6.8 million in grants and endowments from agencies including the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Dwyer Trust.

“I look forward to working with the Decker School’s faculty, staff‎ and students to build upon the school’s strong foundation and history,” Ortiz said. “The school is well poised to carve out a unique place for itself nationally and internationally.”

For more on the open presentation Ortiz on campus in early April, and his vision for the Decker School, go to Inside.