JUDITH MATHEWS, PhD, RN
Dean
Muhlenberg Regional Medical Center
Harold B. and Dorothy A. Snyder School of Nursing
Plainfield, New Jersey
Judith Mathews is responsible for the day-to-day and fiscal functioning of a school of nursing with over 500 students and faculty. Her nursing career includes practice, education and administration. Dr. Mathews provides leadership for the Schools of Nursing, Radiography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Nuclear Medicine and Radiation Therapy. She exemplifies fairness in decision-making, and creates an advocacy atmosphere for students and faculty striving to challenge their minds and seek excellence in all that they do.
Dr. Mathews expects excellence from the faculty and students and sets the tone for quality education by supporting a budget that allows for enough faculty. Dr. Mathews meets with students during orientation telling them about her open door policy, the difficulties in studying nursing, the need to work hard and be active learners, while enumerating the different types of support that the School can provide. Judith has developed and implemented several programs involving faculty and students. Among these are “The Wisdom Connection” which utilizes retired nurses in New Jersey in a mentorship program for students, the Partnership in Nursing, which uses staff nurses as mentors for students and the Career Ladder for faculty which recognizes the talents of teaching staff. Judith has facilitated the Cooperative Nursing Program with Union County College to receive a Diploma in Nursing and Associate in Science Degree, enabling students to pursue a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing.