Rita Ann Frantz, the dean of the College of Nursing at the University of Iowa, died last month at her home in Iowa City. She was 68 years old and had suffered from cancer.
Dr. Frantz was born on a farm near Davenport, Iowa. She was a graduate of Marycrest College in Davenport, which has since closed. She went on to earn a master’s degree in medical and surgical nursing and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Iowa. Her research focused on wound healing and pressure ulcer prevention and treatment.
Dr. Frantz joined the faculty at the University of Iowa’s College of Nursing in 1972 and taught there for the remainder of her life. She officially stepped down as dean the day before she died.
The University of Iowa Foundation is collecting funds to establish an endowed chair in nursing to honor Professor Frantz.
My mentor my mama in wound healing! I always strived to be a Rita Franz! I am sad she is gone, but will always appreciate her love and devotion, she was my mentor and anyone that knew Rita like I did will be missing her knowledge and support in the wound healing community. Rita was the best collogue I ever had she supported me, helped me was always there if I needed anything answered, and she was the biggest supporter of a nurse that learned wound care without going to an ET school she supported me always. The best mentor I ever had and I will always love her and miss her.
Kay Burk Hofland