Brenda Douglas PhD, RN, CNE serves as the Dean of the Program of Nursing in the School of Medicine. Dr. Douglas started at Tulane in March 2023 to create and build the nursing program and initiate the Louisiana regulatory Board of Nursing approval process.

Dr. Douglas received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. She went on to receive a Master of Science in Nursing with a tri-focus on Education, Administration, and Informatics, and in 2012, a Ph.D. in Nursing from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. After working as an RN for several years on medical surgical units, she transitioned to long term and rehabilitative care serving in various leadership roles including as Staff Development Director, Assistant Nursing Services Director, and the Nursing Services Director across 3 healthcare centers. Dr. Douglas has additionally worked as a Clinical Information Specialist Consultant and a Legal Nurse Consultant. Prior to coming to Tulane, Dr. Douglas was as Associate Clinical Professor at the Bouvé College of Health Sciences School of Nursing at Northeastern University for more than 20 years where she served in multiple roles including as the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate programs.

Dr. Douglas has received recognition and awards for her teaching and leadership including awards in teaching excellence, and innovative teaching, distinguished service and recognition awards, and several senior class awards. She is the past President of the Gamma Epsilon Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau, International, a Health Information Technology Scholar, a Certified Nurse Educator, holds a Certificate in Simulation, and was a fellow of the Northeastern University Global Experience Office where she and a colleague took students to Italy for an immersive healthcare leadership and wellness learning experience.

Her leadership and teaching foci are nursing education, interprofessional simulation, and nursing management and leadership. Her scholarship and research foci are lifestyle changes to manage hypertension among older adults and using technology and simulation in nursing education. She has received several grants, is published in peer-reviewed journals, and has presented at regional, national, and international conferences.

Through her experience and focus on excellence, Dr. Douglas strives to advance the missions of Tulane University and the School of Medicine, leading a BSN program with stellar like-minded faculty and staff of excellence to prepare highly competent and compassionate nurses who contribute to improving individual and community health outcomes. The program is dedicated to ensuring that it is inclusive of underrepresented groups, and to supporting students in their journey toward becoming professional BSN prepared nurses.