By Pareasa Rahimi
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Professor and Chair of the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care Allison Shorten, PhD, RN, FACM, FNAP, FAAN, has been named Senior Associate Dean of Professional Development and Faculty Affairs. She assumed the role January 1, 2026.
Shorten is an internationally recognized leader and nurse scientist in nurse-midwifery and maternal child health, as well as an accomplished educator and interprofessional education leader. As the Chair of the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care since 2020, Shorten has served as a member of the School’s leadership team overseeing faculty development across the missions of the School and UAB. She also is Executive Director of the School’s Women and Children Health Initiative, leading efforts to implement evidence-based care to improve health outcomes for women and their families.
“We value the dedication and expertise of our faculty and staff, and this inaugural role builds on our commitment to supporting our faculty to the fullest,” said Dean and Fay B. Ireland Endowed Chair Maria R. Shirey, PhD, MBA, MS, RN, NEA-BC, ANEF, FACHE, FNAP, FAAN. “Allison Shorten’s background, vast experience and steadfastness make her the ideal person for this new position. I look forward to continuing to work with her in a leadership capacity as she supports our faculty in their continued growth and success.”
In this inaugural role, Shorten will be responsible for leading faculty and staff professional development and performance management. She also will have primary responsibility for developing, leading and evaluating an innovative and comprehensive faculty and staff development enterprise that supports individuals throughout the talent management cycle, collaborating with the School’s Human Resources and the UAB Faculty Affairs office to implement professional development and performance management plans and goals in accordance with campus policies and best practices.
“I am honored to be selected for this exciting new senior leadership role within our School and to support career development opportunities for our talented and dedicated faculty and staff,” Shorten said. “I firmly believe that our School is a place where it is in everyone’s interest that all members of the organization are supported to be successful and look forward to contributing to the growth of leaders with a mentorship mindset. We have such amazing and talented faculty and staff who share our vision and make a difference each and every day. I am excited that this new role provides a unique opportunity to expand upon the work we have started together, to deepen our support of talented people and to elevate our School to even greater heights, consistent with our ‘Boldy Blazing Froward’ strategic plan.”
Shorten joined the School in 2016, and in addition to her role with the Office of Interprofessional Curriculum, she was Interim Chair of the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care from 2019 to 2020. She has more than 130 published works including 70 peer-reviewed publications and has delivered more than 120 presentations in local, regional, national and international scientific meetings. She served as a member of the Expert Panel on Maternal and Infant Health for the American Academy of Nursing and on the National Meeting Planning Committee and Professional Development Committee for the National Academies of Practice, among other national service. She has contributed to 30 peer-reviewed professional journals in various roles, including as a reviewer, associate editor and member of editorial boards. Shorten is a Senior Scientist in the UAB Center for Women’s Reproductive Health and UAB Center for Interprofessional Education and Simulation.
Shorten has been a principal investigator, collaborator and consultant on extramural federal, foundation and other grants totaling more than $17.4 million. She was a member of the inaugural cohort of the UAB Chairs Leadership Academy in 2024-2025, received the UAB Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Learning in a Team Environment in 2020 and was in the 2017-2018 class of the UAB Healthcare Leadership Academy. She is a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice, Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and Fellow of the Australian College of Midwives.
Shorten will continue her role as Director of the Office of Interprofessional Curriculum for the University, a role she has held since 2017, through March 2026. She also will remain Interim Chair of the Department of Acute, Chronic and Continuing Care until a new Chair is named following a planned national search.