Kathleen Gallo, the founding dean of Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, retired on May 31, with a legacy of transformative leadership that will inspire healthcare leaders for decades to come.

Gallo, who also retired from her role as Northwell Health’s chief learning officer last year, has spent 26 years with the health system and more than 40 years in health care. She is succeeded at Hofstra by Renee McLeod-Sordjan, who currently serves as the school’s vice dean.

McLeod-Sordjan will continue to serve as Northwell’s director and system chair of medical ethics, a position she has held since 2019.

“Kathleen Gallo is a visionary leader who committed her career to patient-centered care and developing the next generation of healthcare leaders,” said Hofstra University President Susan Poser. “She has built an incredibly strong foundation at the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, with a ground-breaking curriculum and caring, innovative faculty and administrators like Renee McLeod-Sordjan.

“With her proven record as an academic leader and deep understanding of the school’s mission, Dr. McLeod-Sordjan is the best person to shape its future and ensure a seamless transition,” Poser said.

Hofstra and Northwell Health, the largest healthcare system in New York state, partnered in 2015 to launch the Hofstra School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.

Since its inception, the school has expanded to offer four master’s degrees, four doctoral nursing degrees, four advanced certificate programs and an undergraduate nursing degree.

Like the medical school, the nursing and PA school uses the case-based learning method called PEARLS – Patient-Centered Explorations in Active Reasoning, Learning, and Synthesis – to foster leadership, collaboration and patient-focused, rather than illness-focused, care.

“Kathy’s leadership and remarkable vision have been integral to the success of the school over the last several years,” said Michael Dowling, president and CEO of Northwell. “I know Renee will continue our commitment to excellence in health care education – and usher in an exciting new chapter for the school.”

A seasoned emergency and trauma nurse, Dean Gallo began her career as a nurse at the Hospital for Special Surgery before moving to emergency medicine.

At Northwell, she first served as system director for emergency medicine and later as vice president for emergency medical services, helping to design Northwell’s emergency preparedness strategy.

In 2001, she became the first chief learning officer in health care, charged with creating a system at Northwell that focuses on workforce and leadership development.

At Hofstra, in addition to leading the nursing school, Dean Gallo was a leader of the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, using her experience in emergency medicine to stand up a nimble, comprehensive testing program.

“I am pleased to welcome Renee McLeod-Sordjan as the new Dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies,” said Charlie Riordan, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. “In her prior roles, Renee has demonstrated committed leadership and a forward-facing approach to nursing and physician assistant education that prepares skilled, ethical, and empathetic health care providers. I look forward to working with Dr. McLeod-Sordjan  to continue to build distinguished academic programs.”

McLeod-Sordjan joined the School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies as a professor in 2017, becoming vice dean in 2021. She also serves as an associate professor in medicine and science education for the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell.

She originally joined Northwell in 1996 as a family nurse practitioner at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills.

She earned a PhD in nursing education from Adelphi University and her Doctor of Nursing Practice and Master of Science in Nursing degrees from Pace University.

She is currently working toward a Master of Business Administration degree in healthcare from Yale University. Renee speaks on a wide range of topics related to bioethics in medicine and interdisciplinary practice and has published several peer-reviewed research investigations.

“Dr. McLeod is well-poised to be the next dean as she is an innovative health care thought leader,” said Gallo. “She is not only an outstanding educator, but she is a well-respective clinician and medical ethicist. I know of no other nursing professional more uniquely qualified who can shepherd the school into the future by development the next generation of healthcare professionals.”