MEDIA RELEASE FROM SAULT COLLEGE
******************** Selection, promotion announced
A well-known local nursing professional has been selected associate dean of health at Sault College.
Mary Ellen Luukkonen will start in the management position on Monday, April 4.
"We are very fortunate that Mary Ellen is interested in continuing her career at Sault College," said Judi Maundrell vice president, academic. "The depth of her experience in nursing and health care management will contribute much to student success and academic excellence in our related curricula."
Priorities for Luukkonen will include increasing enrolment in health programs, developing new study options and expanding partnerships.
The new associate dean of health worked most recently as vice president, clinical programs and chief nursing officer at Sault Area Hospital.
Previous positions during a career covering more than 30 years were director of nursing, manager of critical care, hospital supervisor and staff nurse.
Luukkonen completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing requirements at Laurentian University.
She holds a Certificate of Competence from the College of Nurses of Ontario and is a member of the Registered Nurses Association of Ontario.
"After spending many years working with experienced nurses and clinical support staff in a hospital setting, I am very excited about being involved with the programs that prepare health care providers," said the associate dean of health-select.
"I look forward to working with new colleagues and the many challenges that are ahead."
Luukkonen will report to Fran Rose who, effective April 4, will become dean of health and human services.
Rose has served as associate dean of health and human services for the past two years.
"I congratulate Fran on her excellent work and commend her for advancing programming during a particularly demanding period," said Maundrell.
"A very dedicated and capable administrator, Fran is most deserving of this promotion."
Rose began her career at the college in 1989 as a program manager.
From 1998 until 2003, she was an academic administrator for health, human services and liberal studies programs.
Maundrell said the changes being made will restore the administrative component of the school of health and human services to a more appropriate and realistic level.
Over 1,000 full-time students are enroled in health and human services programs.
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