St. Joseph’s Health Names New College of Nursing Dean

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Lenore Boris, PhD, JD, RN has been named Dean of St. Joseph’s College of Nursing. In her new role, Dr. Boris will oversee the daily operations of the College, faculty development, curriculum design and research, and clinical services.

“Dr. Boris brings with her more than two decades of teaching, research and management experience in higher education to our College of Nursing,” said Leslie Paul Luke, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health. “We are confident that she will provide outstanding leadership and counsel to faculty, staff and strive to provide an excellent student experience.”

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Boris taught in nursing and medical programs at several colleges across Upstate New York. She spent more than 15 years as an associate dean at the Binghamton Campus of SUNY Update Medical University’s College of Medicine. Her responsibilities included oversight of daily operations and managing the budget. She also played an active role in the school’s community relations including supervising a free clinic that provided primary health care to uninsured adults at no cost to the patient.

Dr. Boris began her nursing career as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force. Dr. Boris served as a clinical nurse on active duty and later as a flight nurse and eventually administrator of a clinic. In 2007, Dr. Boris retired as a colonel after 28 years of service.

Dr. Boris earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from California State University in Hayward, her master’s degree in nursing from Syracuse University, and PhD in nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Dr. Boris also holds a law degree from University of Wisconsin.

Dr. Boris succeeds Dr. Susan Berger, EdD, ANP-BC, who has served as interim dean since April 2021. Dr. Berger will resume her role as the Chairperson of the Governing Board of St. Joseph’s College of Nursing.

“We are incredibly grateful for Dr. Berger’s leadership at the College during this transitional phase,” Luke said. “Dr. Berger was instrumental in maintaining the school’s well-known standard for excellence and leading the next generation of nurses while we searched for a permanent dean.”

Dr. Boris will assume her role in mid-September. Dr. Boris lives in Ithaca with her son, Aaron, and 20-year-old cat. In her spare time, she enjoys hikes, reading and home projects.

About St. Joseph’s College of Nursing

Based in Syracuse, NY, St. Joseph’s College of Nursing educates and inspires students to become compassionate healers who demonstrate integrity, innovation, caring and excellence. The College is designated as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission and offers an associate in applied science degree with a major in nursing, as well as a Dual Degree Partnership in Nursing with Le Moyne College. The College is affiliated with St. Joseph’s Health, which is also the employer of choice for about 85 percent of our graduates. St. Joseph’s is a regional non-profit health care system and has been an innovative leader in health care since it was founded in 1869. St. Joseph’s is the only hospital in Syracuse to hold the LeapFrog safety grade ‘A’ rating, ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, a designated Stroke Center and a U.S. News “Best Regional Hospital.” St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with St. Joseph’s Physicians and is a member of Trinity Health.