Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Appoints Five Women Faculty Members to Leadership Positions

The Johns Hopkins School of Nursing in Baltimore has announced the appointment of five women faculty members to leadership positions. “These faculty have exceptional teaching, mentorship, and leadership experience, and will bring diverse perspective, strategic outlook, and innovation to our programs,” said Marie Nolan, interim dean of the nursing school.

Clockwise from top left: Dr. Alexander, Dr. Wenzel, Dr. Capello, Dr. VanGraafeiland, and Dr. Lukkahatai

Kamilla Alexander was appointed associate director of Ph.D. and postdoctoral programs. She is an assistant professor who holds a joint appointment in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research focuses on prevention of sexual health outcome disparities. She is a graduate of Howard University in Washington D.C. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Johns Hopkins University and a Ph.D. in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.

Angela Capello is the new associate director for theoretical foundations of practice in the master’s degree entry into nursing program. She has been serving as a system nursing professional development educator for the largest healthcare system in Louisiana. Earlier, she had six years of experience as an assistant professor in a pre-licensure nursing program. Dr. Capello earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana. She holds a Ph.D. from Louisiana State University.

Nada Lukkahatai was named director of the master’s degree in nursing research honors program. She holds a joint appointment in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Oncology Center. Her research centers on understanding biological mechanisms in the clustering of symptoms. Dr. Lukkahatai is a nursing graduate of Chiang Mai University in Thailand. She earned a master’s degree in nursing at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Brigit VanGraafeiland was appointed associate director of the doctor of nursing practice executive track. Dr. VanGraafeiland has been a pediatric nurse practitioner for 30 years and a nursing educator for 20 years. Her scholarship centers on improving outcomes for children in foster care, child maltreatment, and screening for human trafficking. Dr. VanGraafeiland holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Rochester in New York. She earned a doctor of nursing practice degree from the University of Maryland School of Nursing in Baltimore.

Jennifer Wenzel was appointed director of Ph.D. and postdoctoral programs. She has developed innovative extensions of nurse-community health worker navigation interventions to include family or other patient-designated care partners. Dr. Wenzel is a graduate of Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee. She holds a master’s degree in nursing administration from the University of Maryland a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.