Sara Barger, RN, DPA, FAAN

Dean & Professor

Dean and Professor, University of Alabama, Capstone College of Nursing. Prior positions include Chair of Northern Illinois University's School of Nursing and Associate Dean, Department Head and Director of the Nursing Center at Clemson University. In addition, she held numerous leadership positions in the public health systems of Maryland, Virginia and Georgia. During her Robert Wood Johnson Executive Nurse Fellowship from 2000-2003, she established the Women’s Leadership Institute at The University of Alabama. A prolific writer in the areas of rural health, nurse-managed care, nursing centers and faculty practice, she is a member of the editorial board for books and monographs published by Center Nursing Press, Sigma Theta Tau International and past assistant editor and columnist for professional practice for the Journal of Professional Nursing. Dr. Barger was the first chair of the National League for Nursing's (NLN) Council for Nursing Centers, and member of the Board of Directors. She served two terms on the Board of Governors of the National League for Nursing and chaired its Council for Baccalaureate Degree Program. In 1992, she completed a Public Health Service Fellowship in Primary Care Health Policy. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and 1988 recipient of the Honorary Nursing Practice Award of the American Nurses Association. In 2001, she received the prestigious Emory Medal as an outstanding alumna of Emory University. Dr. Barger has a B.S. in Nursing from the University of Maryland, a Masters in Nursing from Emory University, and a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Georgia.