Achieving Academic Milestones

Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, who serves as vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and College of Nursing dean at The Ohio State University, has received an Honorary Doctor of Science degree during Commencement ceremonies at The State University of New York’s (SUNY) Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, New York.

Melnyk earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the West Virginia University School of Nursing.

The honorary doctorate degree is the highest form of recognition offered by the SUNY Board of Trustees to individuals of exceptional distinction. Melnyk became the nation’s first chief wellness officer at an institution of higher education in 2011.

She is a global leader and expert in evidence-based practice, intervention research, child/teen/young adult mental health, clinician well-being, and health and wellness who has received more than $33 million in funding from federal agencies (including the National Institutes of Health), penned more than 470 publications and serves as co-editor of seven books.