Nagelkerk named thought leader by publication

Jean Nagelkerk, vice provost for Health, was named a "Thought Leader in Health Care" by Business Review.

She and other honorees will be recognized at a reception on Thursday, August 4, from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. “Thought Leaders” are honored by Business Review for making bold and innovative choices and advancing their respective fields.

Nagelkerk was named vice provost in 2007. She joined Grand Valley's faculty in 1993 and is also a professor of nursing. Nagelkerk has worked to establish partnerships with area hospitals, health care organizations, agencies and other colleges and universities. She said the recent West Michigan Interprofessional Education Initiative is an example of how regional entities can develop collaborative initiatives.

"The emphasis on interprofessional education and practice is a team approach involving health disciplines to secure the best patient outcomes," she said. WMIPEI partners are Grand Valley, Grand Rapids Medical Education Partners, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine and regional partners.

Nagelkerk said she will continue to strengthen and develop partnerships, positioning Grand Valley to meet the current and future health care needs.