Georgia State University is an enterprising urban public research institution in Atlanta, the leading cultural and economic center of the Southeast.
THE BYRDINE F. LEWIS COLLEGE OF NURSING & HEALTH PROFESSIONS at Georgia State University is a leader in preparing the next generation of clinicians and scholars who are critical to improving individual and community health. Since 1968, the college has produced more than 7,293 nurses and nurse practitioners and more than 6,156 allied health care professionals. Many of these professionals go on to become educators and researchers.
Welcome to the Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions. For more than 50 years, we have educated more than 12,500 health professionals to serve at the frontline of health care. Our vision is to become the premier school of the education of health professionals in the Southeast.
A Lewis College health care education provides excellent job opportunities with undergraduate and graduate degree programs in health informatics, nursing, nutrition, respiratory therapy, field-entry-level doctorate programs in occupational therapy and physical therapy and a new B.S. degree bridge program in dental hygiene. In addition, our college offers an associate degree program in nursing through Perimeter College and the doctor of nursing practice and doctor of philosophy in nursing, making Georgia State the only university in Georgia to offer the full breadth of nursing education. We are also developing a health pathway for Perimeter students to transition into our health science degree programs.
The Lewis College offers, in partnership with the J. Mack Robinson College of Business, entry into the dynamic field of health informatics through an interdisciplinary bachelor's degree. In addition, we partner with two other colleges to offer terminal degrees in nutrition and physical therapy – the Ph.D. in chemistry with a nutritional sciences concentration and the Ph.D. in kinesiology with a rehabilitation concentration.
With these diverse academic programs, our college has experienced substantial growth. Despite the past year's challenges, our credit hours are up 7.3 percent over Spring 2020 and 13.2 percent higher than Spring 2019. We also witnessed nearly 26 and 33 percent growth in credit hours for spring and fall semesters, respectively, over the past five years. Our new laboratories and classrooms are ready for the next phase of growth in the coming decade.
The Lewis College faculty delivers innovative teaching, immersing students in active, simulation and experiential learning. Graduates of all academic units are in high demand, so we implemented measures to increase the number and variety of graduates without sacrificing quality. We maintain clinical partnerships with various hospitals and health care providers ranging from Atlanta's largest hospital, Grady Memorial, to up-and-coming health information technology corporations such as Athenahealth. These partnerships allow our students to have the best clinical and internship opportunities. We also use sophisticated virtual simulation models in place of some clinical experiences our students missed during the pandemic. Our bridge degree programs help health professionals in lower-paying jobs receive the baccalaureate education needed for new jobs and strengthen hospital patient care quality.
Lewis College students participate in research, present their findings, and receive college, university, and national recognition for their professional work. Our faculty receive grant support from federal, state, and private agencies for research that impacts the daily lives of individuals and communities. The Lewis College offers intramural award programs to aid faculty and students in research success. We also support non-tenure-track faculty with the Lewis College Teacher-Scholar Academy, promoting faculty excellence in their teaching and scholarship.
The Lewis College boasts a diverse faculty and student population. We are proud to say our graduates mirror the community they will serve, whether by race, gender, age, religion, or personal experience. This diversity is leveraged in service to the community. For example, nursing students and faculty give back-to-school physicals to homeless children and flu and COVID-19 vaccinations to the Georgia State students, faculty and staff. In south Georgia, physical therapy students provide treatment for musculoskeletal conditions to migrant farmworkers; in metro Atlanta, respiratory therapy students educate the public on lung disease and support stop-smoking efforts. In partnership with the Office of Student Success, nutrition students assist the university's food-insecure students through Panther's Pantry.
Our degree programs receive high marks for student success. The Department of Respiratory Therapy received the Apex Award by the American Association of Respiratory Care twice for achieving a 100 percent pass rate on licensure examinations over multiple years. Occupational therapy graduates maintained a 100 percent pass rate for their licensure exam, a rate held since the program's inception. All our programs maintain licensure pass rates above national averages.
We are proud to be part of the Georgia State family, what the New York Times calls an innovative engine of social mobility, and U.S. News and World Reports ranks as the third most innovative university in the nation.
We are privileged to educate the next generation of health care professionals and are proud of the accomplishments of our students and alumni. Learn more about us and our impact by exploring our website or following us on social media. And ask your healthcare providers if they are Georgia State graduates. You'll discover our grads are the people who care for people – and we welcome you to explore the dynamic world of healthcare as a career choice for you.
Huanbiao Mo
Dean and Professor of Nutrition

Dr. Huanbiao Mo
Dean and Professor

Dr. Sujay Galen
Associate Dean of Research and Interim Chair of Physical Therapy

Dr. Anita Nucci
Associate Dean for Academics

Dr. Kenya Kirkendoll
Interim Associate Dean of Nursing

Dr. Kinsuk Maitra
Chair of Occupational Therapy and Professor

Dr. Doug Gardenhire
Chair of Respiratory Therapy, Clinical Professor and Governor's Teaching Fellow

Dr. Cedric Truss
Chair of Department of Health Sciences and Clinical Associate Professor

Dr. Desiree Wanders
Interim Chair of Nutrition, Associate Professor and Undergraduate Program Director

Anthony Roberts
Assistant Dean, Finance & Administration
The advisory board is the chief volunteer group of Georgia State's Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions in assisting the dean in promoting and in achieving the vision for the college. This diverse group of friends of the college and leaders in the healthcare community is willing to share their time, their talent and their resources in helping the college achieve greatness.
Advisory Board Spotlights & Announcements
- Denise W. Hines Scholarship in Health Informatics
- The Charles Anthony Smith Ph.D., RN, ONC Nursing Scholarship
- Three New Members Voted To Georgia State Lewis College Advisory Board
- Advisory Board Spotlight: Beth Cayce-A COVID Vaccination Advocate and Cheerleader
- Two New Members Named to Lewis College Advisory Board
- Double Panther Leads and Teaches Nursing
- Alumnus Brent Robinson Leads Patient Care Experience at Metro Atlanta Hospital
Members
Charisse Braxton
Health Service Administrator with Kaiser Permanente
MBA, MHA ‘11; NP-C, Nursing ‘03
Beth Cayce
CEO of CaraVita HomeCare and CVSC,LLC
B.S. '75 and M.S. '84 (PT)
Jacqueline Herd, DNP, RN, NEA-BC
Executive Vice President
Chief Nursing Officer
Grady Hospital
Denise Hines
Chief Americas Officer with HIMSS
Natalie Jones DNP, RN, NPD-BC
Senior Vice President of Clinical Practice and Innovation
Prolink
Susan K. Laird, DNP, MSN, RN
Health Communications Project Director
Office of Communication Science
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Ashley L. Matthews
Clinical Systems Manager at Junum
MS, Nutrition ‘10; BS, Criminal Justice ‘03
Tamara Melton
Registered Dietitian,
Co-founder and executive director of Diversify Dietetics,
MS, Nutrition '06
Debianne Peterman
Healthcare Consultant
Sharon Rhodes
Nutrition Consultant and Spokesperson, Southeast United Dairy Industry Association
MS, Nutrition ‘08; Certificate, Dietetic Internship ‘02
Brent Robinson
Executive Director of Patient Services with Piedmont Henry Hospital
Ms, Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner ‘03
Karen Seagraves
Vice President at the Neuroscience Institute and Atrium Health
Ph.D., Nursing
Marci Silverman
Occupational therapist & STOTT Pilates Rehab Instructor with Good Hands Therapy LLC
MS, Exercise Science with Emphasis in Biomechanics ‘00
Charles Anthony Smith (Board Chair)
Clinical Assistant Professor and Coordinator of RN to BSN Program with Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University
MS, Nursing ‘85; BS, Nursing ‘81
Cordia A. Starling
EPIC Immunization Program Director with Georgia Chapter - American Academy of Pediatrics
MS, Nursing ‘86
Michelle Wallace
Executive Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Grady Health Systems
Stephen L. Whiten
Field Reimbursement Territory Manager with McKesson Corporation
BBA, Marketing ‘69
Emeriti Members
Fran Fowler
Founder of Fowler Healthcare Affiliates, Inc.
BS in Nursing ‘74
Sarah Myers
Associate Nurse Executive
Atlanta VA Medical Center
Robert Pettignano
Medical Director -Health Law Partnership; Professor of Pediatrics
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta/ HeLP
Georgette Samaritan
Risk Management Consultant
MAG Mutual Patient Safety Institute
Todd Tyson
Retired – CEO Sales Representative
HiTech Healthcare, Inc. Breas Medical
Karen Waters
Retired – Senior Vice President
Georgia Hospital Association
The Lewis College student ambassador program established by the Office of Dean provides an opportunity for outstanding Lewis College students to serve as official hosts and goodwill ambassadors for the college. Student ambassadors represent the college and the dean with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.
BY THE
2,109
STUDENTS
529
STUDENTS
85%
74%
7,293
6,156
DEGREES OFFERED
Undergraduate
- Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Health Informatics
- Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Health Sciences — Rehabilitation Sciences
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
- Bachelor of Science in Respiratory Therapy
Graduate
- Master of Science in Nursing
- Master of Science in Health Sciences —Health Informatics
- Master of Science in Health Sciences — Nutrition
- Master of Science in Health Sciences —Respiratory Therapy
- Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Doctor of Occupational Therapy
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry — Nutrition
- Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences
- Doctor of Philosophy in Kinesiology —Rehabilitation Science
- Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Specialty Degree Options
- Associate of Science to Bachelor of Science — Dental Hygiene Bridge Program
- Associate of Science to Bachelor of Science — Respiratory Therapy Bridge Program
- Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Registered Nurse to Master of Science in Nursing
- Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice
- Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing
Graduate Certificate Programs
- Health Informatics
- Health Leadership
- Five Nursing Specialties
POINTS OF PRIDE
School of Nursing
91%
of School of Nursing graduates passed the
NCLEX (registered nurse licensure exam) in 2021
97.5%
average Advanced Practice Nurse registration exam
Department of Nutrition
100%
of Department of Nutrition graduates passed the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist Exam in 2021
Department of Occupational Therapy
100%
2021 National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) examination
Department of Physical Therapy
100%
of Department of Physical Therapy graduates secured Doctor of Physical Therapy licensure in 2022
Department of Respiratory Therapy
100%
of Department of Respiratory Therapy graduates secured Registered Respiratory Therapist licensure in 2000 – 2021
RESEARCH AND DISCOVERY
Lewis College students and faculty are working to improve the lives of individuals in underserved populations. Children and infants, older adults, people with disabilities and survivors of stroke are just a few of the groups we support.
The Lewis College is using its research to make homes and communities healthier. Our faculty experts are supporting and developing a number of projects and programs.
Faculty Research Highlights
- Stroke counseling for risk reduction in young African American men
- Berry consumption as a therapeutic strategy in chronic lung disease induced by electronic cigarettes in hypertensive rats
- Virtual hand rehabilitation using computer vision
- Nurse practitioners’ acceptability and use of firearm screening, counseling and lock provision in pediatric primary care settings
- Role of cytokines in adult women 18 years or older with fibromyalgia
- Effects of resistance exercise on cognitive function and mental health among older Chinese Americans
- Clinical utility of Fitbit and Apple Watch to measure daily arm/hand use in stroke
- Biochemical and physiological effects of vaping CBD Oil on young adults
- Technology development for individuals with disabilities to age in place
- Interaction of estrogen, age and activity on musculoskeletal strength in females
ATLANTA & GLOBAL CONNECTIONS
Students gain clinical experience by joining faculty to provide the following services and programs free of charge:
35,000+ Collective hours of unpaid service to the Atlanta community and beyond
23+ Years of back-to-school physicals for more than 3,000 homeless children through the Children’s Restoration Network and DeKalb County Head Start
500-600 Students Served at Panther’s Pantry monthly in collaboration with Student Success and Student Nutrition Services
3000+ Children and grandparents helped through Project Healthy Grandparents in in DeKalb and Fulton counties since 1995
18+ Years of health assessments and treatment for migrant farm workers in South Georgia through an Emory University-led consortium
- Nutrition education for more than 30 health care, social service and community organizations serving younger and older adults
- In-home nursing visits and grandparent support groups for grandparents and the grandchildren they are raising
- Education exchange with respiratory therapists and students from universities in India, Taiwan and Saudi Arabia
MORE INFORMATION
Contact Us
Location
Urban Life Building
404-413-1100
[email protected]
Mailing Address
Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions
P.O. Box 3995
Atlanta, GA 30302-3995