Dr. Christy Hennessey, DNP, MBA, RN, brings over two decades of transformative leadership in nursing education and healthcare to her role as Dean of Nursing at Pacific College of Health and Science. With a steadfast commitment to advancing nursing practice and advocating for the integral role of nurses in healthcare, Dr. Hennessey is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of nursing professionals.
Prior to her appointment at Pacific College, Dr. Hennessey held various leadership positions at esteemed institutions, including West Coast University and Capella University, where she served as Director of Nursing, Associate and Interim Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Director of Academic Success, Campus Dean, and University Director of Persistence and Outcomes. In her most recent role as National Dean of Professional Nursing Programs at Unitek Learning, she spearheaded a comprehensive strategy to elevate academic programs, overseeing the BSN, MSN, and MEPN programs across 12 campuses. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, she championed initiatives to enhance curriculum, faculty development, and student success, resulting in remarkable improvements in NCLEX scores, with eight campuses achieving a perfect 100% pass rate by 2023.
An international speaker on topics such as meditation, consciousness, nursing, and healthcare leadership, Dr. Hennessey is a respected authority in her field. She is a best-selling author, sharing her personal journey of transformation through love of self and conscious awareness. In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Hennessey is an active member of professional associations, including the Psychedelic Medicine Association, the American Cannabis Nurses Association, and the American Holistic Nurses Association. Her dedication to quality and professional development is evidenced by her participation as a HLC Peer Reviewer and her role as a CCNE site evaluator and team leader.
Dr. Hennessey earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of South Alabama, a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Mobile, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the same institution. Her scholarly presentations and honors, including the 2012 DAISY Faculty Award and participation in the Leadership for Academic Nursing Program, underscore her commitment to excellence in nursing education and practice.
At Pacific College of Health and Science, Dr. Hennessey embodies the institution’s core values of integrity, mindfulness, compassion, critical thinking, collaboration, and education. She is dedicated to fostering a culture of compassionate practice, evidence-informed care, and lifelong learning among students, faculty, and healthcare professionals, advancing the mission of Pacific College to improve lives through education and integrative health sciences.
If you are interested in learning more about our holistic nursing programs or our medical cannabis certificate and degree programs, please visit the Pacific College of Health and Science’s holistic nursing programs page or the Pacific College of Health and Science’s medical cannabis programs page.