Notre Dame Names Inaugural Endowed Chair for Nursing

Dr. Bloom joins the faculty at NDMU’s School of Nursing as an associate professor with more than 25 years of experience in the nursing profession. She is a Fulbright Fellow and an award-winning researcher. Dr. Bloom has presented and extensively published her research on intimate partner violence and its impact on areas including maternal stress, pregnancy, children and parenting.

“The expertise, technological innovation, and fresh outlook in creating a rich research environment focused on intimate partner violence that Dr. Bloom brings with her will be invaluable to our students and our institution,” says Dean of the School of Nursing Kathleen Wisser. “I am excited for her to join forces with School of Nursing faculty and students in their research endeavors, which will directly impact the health of the Baltimore metropolitan area's most vulnerable residents.”

Dr. Bloom has extensive experience working with undergraduate and graduate students in and outside of the classroom. She teaches on topics in community and public health and research methodology. Bloom’s community service work involves providing training and continuing education related to intimate partner/sexual violence, safety planning, and risk assessment for diverse audiences of healthcare providers, caregivers, advocates, and community members.

“The NDMU mission and values resonate deeply with me,” says Bloom. “I’m strongly drawn to the institution’s longstanding commitment to the advancement of women and to service and social responsibility. I look forward to meeting like-minded collaborators, community partners and working with our students.”

The Frances Kay Pitts ’96 Endowed Chair for Nursing Leadership in Women and Children’s Health was established in 2014 through a generous gift from the Pitts Family Foundation and Kay and Jim Pitts, with Bloom being named as the first Endowed Chair in 2020. It is endowed to honor Kay Pitts, a graduate of the NDMU nursing program, who has dedicated her career to excellence in the healthcare of women and children as a Registered Nurse and Certified Nurse Midwife.

“Our goal in funding this Endowed Chair, was to enable the Nursing program at NDMU to move to the next level of recognition in its pursuit of excellence in not only the clinical skills and research of Nursing, but the equally important leadership qualities and caring that nurses provide on a daily basis,” says Kay and Jim Pitts. “Notre Dame has a unique value set in community and faith, which enables the student to reach beyond the physical boundaries of the University. We are honored to welcome Dr. Tina Bloom as the first person to occupy an Endowed Chair in Nursing at NDMU.”

President Marylou Yam adds, “We are very grateful to Kay and Jim Pitts for this transformational gift to NDMU and for their dedication to the profession of nursing. Their forward thinking clearly acknowledges the critical role of nurse scholars and researchers within this discipline. Kay’s unwavering support of the School of Nursing throughout the years reflects her commitment to fostering research focused on women and children’s health.”

NDMU’s School of Nursing challenges women and men to transform nursing and healthcare through authentic presence, and caring connections with patients, students, colleagues and within the discipline of nursing. The School of Nursing works to improve the health of our local citizens and beyond through outstanding nursing care, outreach and service.

NDMU offers the four-year BSN program, the second-degree BSN Accelerated program, the RN to BSN program and an MSN program in nursing education and nursing administration.

See NDMU’s School of Nursing for more information.