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Pam Chally swiftly enters her office and immediately apologizes for keeping her guests waiting a few minutes. Her concern reflects her caring style and the nurturing nature of the career that got her started nursing.
Chally is dean of the University of North Florida's College of Health. She supervises 44 faculty members, 1,000 students, three undergraduate programs and three graduate programs.
She came to the university as associate professor of nursing in 1993, then served as associate dean of the college for two years before the promotion to her current position in 1998.
The College of Health graduates about 72 nurses, 36 physical therapists and 35 athletic trainers each academic year. Chally would like to accept more students, but there aren't enough clinical sites for the students to train, mainly because there are also students from Florida Community College Jacksonville and the University of Florida training at local clinical sites.
Fund raising is another challenge. The state provides "bricks and mortar" money and the college fills in the blanks, particularly in the area of equipment. She hopes to raise $3 million during the next two years.
"You find something a potential donor loves and make the connection between what we can do with that money and what they feel strongly about or what should be accomplished," Chally said.
Dr. Brooks Brown, a founder of Memorial Hospital in 1964, is a mentor. He is chairman and CEO of Brooks Health System, named in his honor. He also heads Brooks Health Foundation, which established scholarships, distinguished professorships and five research professorships at the college.
Brown also serves on the college's advisory board and The College of Health building is named in his honor.
"Pam has a position of considerable responsibility. Big decisions have to be made about programs, quality and service to the community," Brown said. "She has a caring...