John Carroll University Names Melissa Cole, DNP, APRN, ANP-BC, CENP as Inaugural Dean of the College of Health

At University Hospitals, Dr. Cole served in a variety of leadership capacities beginning in 2016 as Vice President for the Center for Emergency Medicine, where she was responsible for leading and developing strategic initiatives across 21 emergency departments. In 2020, during the pandemic, she was named Acting System Chief Nurse Executive and Clinical Operations Chief, with responsibility for a wide range of clinical services including nursing education. Most recently, in her role as Vice President for Integrated Delivery Options, Dr. Cole was tasked with shaping the value-focused strategy to enhance clinical quality and ease of access for patients across the University Hospitals Health System.

Prior to UH, Dr. Cole served in growing leadership roles at Tampa General Hospital including two years as Trauma Program Manager and three years as Director of Emergency, Psychiatric, and Trauma Services.

Dr. Cole spent three years at the beginning of her career as a staff nurse and clinical instructor at the Cleveland Clinic followed by three more years as a nurse manager and neuroscience director at HCA Brandon Regional Hospital near Tampa, Florida.

Academically, Dr. Cole has served as clinical faculty at the University of Tampa, and is currently adjunct faculty at Case Western Reserve University's Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Ursuline College in 2003, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tampa in 2012, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from Case Western Reserve University in January of 2023.