The faculty of the Health Care Management Program demonstrated significant creativity and began preparations for new programs in physical therapy, occupational therapy and radiology. The physical therapy program, when approved, would be the second one in Colorado
In 1991, Dr. Ladewig became Academic Dean for the School of Health Professions and Dr. Milliken retired. Nancy Case, RN, PhD was director of the Department of Nursing until 2007. In 2004, with reorganization of the university on the horizon, Margaret Rueckert Hartman, a 1967 graduate of the Loretto Heights Nursing Program, and her husband Doyle became the major donors toward the expansion of the nursing programs, and in their honor, the School of Health Professions was renamed the Rueckert-Hartman School for Health Professions. At that point, the school offered just nursing and a small health information management program.
Once the reorganization was complete, the name changed once again to the Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions, which comprises three schools: the Loretto Heights School of Nursing, Pharmacy and Physical Therapy and two divisions: Counseling and Family Therapy and Health Services Education. Under Dr. Ladewig's leadership, online programs were introduced as were nurse practitioner programs, and the Doctorate of Nursing Practice degree was added. The required number of college credits to graduate is 120 hours.
Over the years, the school of nursing had leadership positions filled by Candace Berardinelli, RN, PhD, (Dr. Ladewig and Dr. Berardinelli were the only two faculty from LHC who remained), Carol Weber, (LHC 1970 BSN) RN, PhD, Margaret O’Brien, PhD, RN, however her tenure was short, and Rita Axford, RN, PhD who became interim dean. Catherine Witt, PhD, RN was appointed dean and continues in that role.
Janet Houser, PhD, served as Academic Dean, RHCHP for 6 years, and was appointed Provost from 2017-2020. Dr. Houser served Regis for more than 20 years serving in several academic and leadership roles.
From its inception, the nursing faculty and program development have demonstrated creativity in meeting the educational needs of all its students. The nursing program has been consistently accredited by various professional bodies and the American College of Collegiate Schools of Nursing. The faculty were, and continue to be, leaders who understood the Loretto philosophy and were able to merge that with the Jesuit traditions at Regis. They have made a difference that has benefited higher education in Colorado and worldwide.
The Loretto Heights School of Nursing continues to thrive at Regis University.
This brief history of the Loretto Heights School of Nursing was written to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the school (forty years at Loretto Heights College and thirty-five years at Regis University) by Karen Clark Loden, MN, RN (ret), LHC 1968 and Patricia Mason Hartman, JD, MSN, RN, LHC 1968.