Deborah J. Jones is the Senior Vice President and Dean of The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Nursing and holds the Rebecca Sealy Distinguished Centennial Chair. Dr. Jones serves as the chief academic and administrative officer who sets the vision and advances the research, education, and service mission of the school as part of a large academic medical center. For the past 20 years, she has focused on advancing oral health in high-risk populations, which has led to publications in high impact interprofessional journals, national presentations, funded research, and appointments that have impacted standards of care and oral health access at the state, national, and international levels. She is the sole nurse elected to the Board of Directors for the Texas Oral Health Coalition, Inc., leading statewide efforts to achieve optimal oral health across the lifespan. She has held several administrative and leadership roles in academia, healthcare facilities, and professional organizations including serving on the Board of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. She has led the creation of innovative educational programs, impacted nursing workforce shortage, and fostered diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workforce.

Dr. Jones holds a Ph.D. and Master’s in Nursing Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a BSN from Radford University.