News Releases

Resnick Appointed to Endowed Gerontology Chair at the University of Maryland School of Nursing

May 31, 2007

Baltimore, Md.—The University of Maryland School of Nursing has announced the appointment of Barbara Resnick, PhD ‘96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, a professor at the School of Nursing and a noted gerontological researcher, to the Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Endowed Chair in Gerontology. Funded through a gift from Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Goodman, BSN '73, MS '79, and currently valued at $1.5 million, the chair enables a national expert in the field to conduct research and educate students in the growing nursing specialty of gerontology.

“I am honored to be awarded the Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Endowed Chair in Gerontology and to have the opportunity to provide leadership in advancing the School's gerontological research, practice, and teaching agenda,” says Resnick. “Given the demographics of our nation, and specifically the state of Maryland, I look forward to leading the School of Nursing in solving the critical health care needs that are anticipated as our population ages.”

Resnick is nationally and internationally renowned for her research on improving the health of the elderly and for her leadership in the education of Geriatric Nurse Practitioners. She has devoted much of her career to building a comprehensive research program that focuses on ways to motivate older adults to engage in functional activities and exercise, in order to improve their overall health and quality of life. In addition to her faculty role at the School of Nursing and her on-going research, Resnick works as a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at Roland Park Place, a continuing care retirement community in Baltimore.

“Dr. Resnick exemplifies the caliber of person we needed to fill this position,” says Search Committee Chair Carolyn Yocom, PhD, RN, FAAN, associate professor and chair of the School's Department of Organizational Systems and Adult Health. “We are confident that she will provide the leadership required to advance the School's gerontology program, while continuing her contributions to research and other scholarly endeavors, obtaining external funding, and mentoring graduate students.”

Resnick is the third person to be appointed to the Endowed Chair since it was established in 1984. Dr. Beverly Baldwin held the position until 1995, followed by Dr. Sandra Fulton Picot, who held the Chair from 1999 until 2004.

“We congratulate Dr. Resnick on this wonderful achievement,” says Janet D. Allan, PhD, RN, CS, FAAN, dean of the School of Nursing. “We are proud to count her among our cadre of esteemed alumni and internationally renowned research faculty.”