Lorna Finnegan, PhD, FNP, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor
Lorna Finnegan, PhD, RN, FNP, FAAN, has served as dean since 2019 following an extensive career in academia, research, and clinical practice focused on primary care and public and health nursing. A leading voice in academic nursing, she serves on the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and is actively engaged in advancing strategies to expand primary care access and promote health equity for vulnerable and underserved populations.
At Loyola Nursing, Dr. Finnegan has led the school to its highest-ever ranking for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and has significantly expanded its nursing science portfolio, particularly in research focused on social determinants of health. She launched the award-winning CARE (Collaboration, Access, Resources, and Equity) Pathway to the BSN, an innovative student success model that supports undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds. Under her leadership, Loyola Nursing has received national recognition for its commitment to inclusion, including the AACN’s 2024 Inclusive Excellence, Belonging, and Sustainability in Nursing Education Award.
Dr. Finnegan joined Loyola Nursing from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Nursing, where she served as executive associate dean and department head. She has been the recipient of National Institutes of Health research funding and is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.
As past president of the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties—the leading organization dedicated to excellence in nurse practitioner education—Dr. Finnegan helped guide the national movement toward transitioning nurse practitioner programs to the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree. In 2024, she was named a Notable Leader in Health Care by Crain’s Chicago Business.
Dr. Finnegan earned her BSN, MS, and PhD at UIC.
Research Interests
Dr. Finnegan’s research focuses on leveraging big data analytics, academic–practice partnerships, and innovative pedagogies to expand access to primary care, advance health equity, and better understand symptom clusters among adults with multiple chronic conditions.
Specialty Area
Primary care, health equity, community and public health