PHILADELPHIA -- Afaf I. Meleis, PhD, FAAN, RN, an internationally acclaimed nurse and medical sociologist, has been named dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania, Penn President Judith Rodin announced. She will begin her new position in January.

Meleis has been a professor of nursing in the Department of Community Health Systems at the University of California, San Francisco School of Nursing since 1971, where she served as assistant dean for academic programs from 1971-75. She was on the faculty of the University of California, Los Angeles from 1968 to 1971.

"We are delighted that an academician, researcher and women advocate of Dr. Meleiscaliber has chosen to take the helm at Penns School of Nursing," said Rodin. "Her experience and credentials reinforce the role nursing plays on the world stage as she joins a staff of considerable national and international repute."

Considered a "cultural bridge builder" both nationally and internationally, Meleis is acclaimed for her focus on international research in women and health issues. She currently serves as president of the International Council on Women's Health, and has been an invited visiting professor, symposium presenter, keynote speaker, board member and consultant on international nursing, health and women issues in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and South America.

She has been honored for her achievements by a number of universities and professional organizations worldwide. In 1990, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak presented her with that country Medal of Excellence for her professional and scholarly work. She is also the recipient of five mentoring awards, including a regional one.

Most recently, in April, she received the Chancellor Award for the Advancement of Faculty Women at UCSF, where in 2000 she also organized and chaired the International Congress on Women Health Issues.

"Afaf Meleis brings her considerable expertise in theoretical nursing, international health and women health issues to the University, " Penn Provost Robert Barchi said. "Her reputation as a pioneer in women's health issues and culturally competent care worldwide is truly impressive. We believe she will lead Penn's School of Nursing to even higher prominence both nationally and internationally."

An acknowledged expert in knowledge development, women health and development, as well as immigrant and international health, she is the author of more than 200 articles, chapters and monographs, proceedings and books, among them an award-winning book on theoretical nursing which is used worldwide. She also serves on the boards of numerous leading scholarly journals, including Advances in Nursing Science,The Journal of Scholarly Nursing, Health Care for Women International, Nursing Inquiry and Scholarly Inquiry for Nursing Practice International.

A native of Egypt, Meleis completed her nursing degree at the University of Alexandria in 1961 before coming to the United States to pursue her graduate education as a Rockefeller Fellow. She earned an M.S. in nursing, an M.A. in sociology and a PhD. in medical and social psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles. In addition, she has received two honorary doctoral degrees.

The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing is the only nursing school in the Ivy League with an undergraduate program. It is consistently ranked at the top of all nursing schools in the U.S. News & World Report surveys, tying for second this year. Individual nursing programs are ranked top in the nation, including Gerontology, Psychiatric/Mental Health, and the adult

nurse practitioner program.

Penn Nursing is known for its comprehensive research agenda, ranking seventh last year in the receipt of $3.5 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health. Seven important research centers reside in the school including Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research; Center for Urban Health Research; Center for Study of the History of Nursing; Center for Advancement of Care in Serious Illness; Center for Gerontologic Nursing Science; International Center of Research for Women, Children and Families; and the Center for Nursing Research.