Ahn named dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing

After a comprehensive national search, Hyochol “Brian” Ahn, PhD, MSN, MS-CTS, MS-ECE, APRN, ANP-BC, FAAN, has been named dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing. Dr. Ahn’s appointment begins May 22. 

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Dr. Ahn is a professor and associate dean for research at the Florida State University College of Nursing and founding director of the FSU Brain Science and Symptom Management Center. He has received continuous funding as a principal investigator for the last 12 years for a total of more than $24 million. Through his work, Dr. Ahn has delivered more than 70 peer-reviewed publications and more than 80 presentations related to areas including biobehavioral neuroscience, health equity and population health and wellness.

“Dr. Ahn is a proven leader and dynamic researcher who has established a presence at the forefront of several intriguing disciplines,” said Michael D. Dake, MD, University of Arizona Health Sciences senior vice president. “The College of Nursing is an innovative and interdisciplinary home for nursing education, research and practice. Under the guidance of Dr. Ahn, the College of Nursing will continue to be a leader in the advancement of nursing to transform health care and address the health challenges we are facing today and in the future.”

Before joining the FSU College of Nursing, Dr. Ahn was assistant dean for research at the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing and the Isla Carroll Turner Endowed Chair in Gerontological Nursing at UTHealth School of Nursing.

"I am humbled and honored to assume the role of dean of the University of Arizona College of Nursing. I am excited to build upon the college's legacy of excellence in innovative and interdisciplinary education, research, clinical practice, and service, as well as the world-class infrastructure at the University of Arizona Health Sciences,” Dr. Ahn said. “I believe that by fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment, we can continue to innovate and drive positive change in health care locally, nationally and globally. I am committed to working alongside our talented faculty, staff, students and community partners to further elevate its reputation and impact."

A fellow at the American Academy of Nursing, Dr. Ahn is also a national advisory board member of the American Academy of Nursing’s Edge Runners National Advisory Council. In addition, he’s a National Commission Research Workgroup member of the American Nurses Association’s National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing. Along with those roles, Dr. Ahn serves as a consultant for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

A first-generation Asian-American, Dr. Ahn was an external advisory board member of the NIH P30-funded Rutgers Asian Research Center for Minority Aging Research and a Gerontological Society of America’s Minority Issues in Gerontology Committee Scholarship awardee.

Dr. Ahn earned his doctorate in Nursing from the University of Florida in 2012. He also holds a Master of Science degree in adult and elderly nursing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Science in electrical and computer engineering from Florida. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in electrical engineering from the University of Seoul, College of Engineering. Dr. Ahn was also a visiting fellow at the Harvard-MIT MGH/HST Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging.

Dr. Ahn replaces Ki Moore, PhD, RN, FAAN, who returned to her faculty position as the Anne Furrow Endowed Professor in the college in 2022 before retiring. Kathleen Insel, PhD, RN, professor and chair of the College of Nursing’s Behavioral Health Science Division, served as interim dean.