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Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) continues to be recognized for its academic excellence, as evidenced by its graduate programs once again ranking in the top 10 nationwide for public schools of nursing, according to the newly released 2026 edition of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools.” The School’s Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs are both ranked No. 6 in the nation among public schools of nursing. Its MSN Nursing Leadership and Management specialty has maintained the No. 1 spot among public schools. Three DNP specialties are also ranked. The latest rankings reflect UMSON’s reputation as a School that continues to excel in educating nurse leaders, advancing the science of nursing through innovative research, emphasizing practical learning, and fostering its commitment to serving the community. The number of respondents to the U.S. News survey included 147 Master of Science programs and 154 DNP programs out of 682 accredited nursing schools surveyed. “We are immensely proud of our students, faculty, and staff, whose dedication and excellence continue to make UMSON a leader in nursing education,” said Yolanda Ogbolu, PhD '11, MS '05, BSN '04, NNP, FNAP, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. “These rankings affirm our commitment to advancing the field of nursing through rigorous education and impactful research.” Among UMSON’s rankings: MSN Nursing Leadership and Management specialty – ranked No. 3 overall and remains No. 1 among public schools of nursing Overall DNP program – ranked No. 14 overall and remains No. 6, tied, among publics Overall MSN – ranked No.17 overall and moved up to No. 6, tied, among public schools of nursing DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner specialty – ranked No. 9, tied, overall and No. 4, tied, among publics DNP Family Nurse Practitioner specialty – ranked No. 11 overall and remains No. 4, tied, among publics DNP Nurse Anesthesia specialty – ranked No. 35 overall and moved up to No. 4 among publics The U.S. News & World Report rankings are based on a variety of indicators, including student selectivity and program size, faculty resources, and research activity, and on survey data from deans of schools of nursing that are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, or the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education. In late 2025 and early 2026, U.S. News surveyed 682 nursing schools with master's or doctoral programs. Of those, 147 master's programs, and 154 DNP programs provided enough data to be eligible for inclusion in the ranking. Many institutions were ranked in both, using some overlapping nursing school data that applies to both the master's and DNP programs involving research grants and faculty counts. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,000 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. – The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON)’s Yvette Conyers, DNP, RN, FNP-C, CTN-B, CFCN, CNE, CWCN-AP, FADLN, FNAP, assistant professor and associate dean for strategic engagement and impact, has been inducted as a Distinguished Practitioner and Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (NAP). NAP membership honors health care professionals who have excelled in their field and are dedicated to furthering practice, scholarship, and policy in support of interprofessional care. Members are elected by their peers for their commitment to advancing collaborative health care. Its Class of 2026 comprises distinguished practitioners from 17 health professions. “Receiving this distinction is deeply meaningful to me because it honors the hands‑on, community‑rooted work that has shaped my career,” Conyers said. “From partnering with local organizations to working alongside interprofessional teams on the ground, my passion has always been meeting communities where they are and building trust‑driven solutions that improve health and equity. This fellowship affirms the power of collaborative, grassroots nursing leadership to create lasting impact.” Her induction took place March 14 during NAP’s banquet and awards ceremony in Indiana. Conyers, who joined UMSON in 2023, is a nurse practitioner, educator, and health equity advocate with more than two decades of experience in health care, academia, and community engagement. Specializing in wound and foot care nursing, she is nationally certified in both areas with a clinical focus on preventing amputation disparities in historically underserved populations. She is a recognized leader in advancing health equity through culturally responsive care, policy influence, and restorative practices that foster trust and healing in marginalized communities. Her work is grounded in the belief that addressing structural inequities and social determinants of health is essential for improving patient outcomes and advancing justice in health care. Conyers is committed to mentoring and preparing diverse nurse leaders who are equipped to deliver inclusive, community-centered care. Through curriculum design, restorative justice events, and advocacy-driven education, she cultivates learning environments where nursing students can explore their biases, engage in critical reflection, and become change agents in their communities. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree and a Family Nurse Practitioner post-master’s certificate from St. John Fisher College in New York; a master’s degree in nursing education from Roberts Wesleyan College in New York; a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Rochester in New York; and an Associate of Applied Science degree in nursing from Monroe Community College in New York. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.

Baltimore, Md. - Elizabeth "Beth" Galik, PhD ’07, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor and chair of the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) Department Organizational Systems and Adult Health (OSAH), has been named the 2026 Clinician of the Year by the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association (PALTmed). The award recognizes a practitioner in the post-acute and long-term care setting who embodies excellence in patient care. “I am deeply honored to be recognized for my clinical practice in post-acute and long-term care settings that has focused improving outcomes for individuals living with dementia,” Galik said. “My clinical practice has inspired and informed my teaching and scholarly pursuits.” She was nominated by several current and former members of the PALTmed Board of Directors, including Barbara Resnick, PhD ’96, RN, CRNP, FAAN, FAANP, professor, Sonya Ziporkin Gershowitz Chair in Gerontology, and associate dean for research. “Her dedication to clinical care of older adults, particularly those living with dementia and other mental health issues, aging research, education, and the creation and advancement of new knowledge in aging is clearly evident by work over her career at the University of Maryland School of Nursing and prior to that time,” the group wrote in its letter of support. “Her work has altered how care is provided to so many individuals she has touched or taught others to provide care for. Her approaches to care are innovative, and she has a magical way of engaging older adults living with dementia or other mental health issues and an incredible ability to help families know when behavioral interventions have been sufficiently attempted and medication management may be needed.” Galik is a leader in the field of gerontology, having served as past president of the Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) and chair of the GAPNA Foundation and of the Beacon Institute, the educational affiliate of the Lifespan Network, the largest senior care provider organization in the Mid-Atlantic. “She exemplifies the high standards associated with the PALTmed Clinician of the Year award,” the group wrote. “Her work has altered the philosophy of care for those with severe dementia from being custodial and propagating disability to a philosophy in which function is optimized and the quality of life of older adults is maintained.” Galik joined UMSON as a clinical instructor in 2006; she was promoted to assistant professor in 2007 and to associate professor with tenure in 2013. She attained the rank of professor with tenure in 2018. In 2021, Galik was appointed OSAH chair. She teaches in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner specialty and conducts research designed to optimize function and physical activity and to effectively manage behavioral symptoms among older adults with dementia. In addition to her roles at UMSON, Galik is a certified adult nurse practitioner specializing in the medical and neuropsychiatric care of older adults with dementia. Through clinical practice with the Sheppard Pratt health system in Maryland, she provides patient care to older adults and their caregivers in long-term care communities. Galik has also developed a house call practice for dementia symptom management. Galik holds a PhD from UMSON, a Master of Science in Nursing from Villanova University in Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. Galik has been recognized with numerous awards and honors. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, the American Academy of Nursing, and the Gerontological Society of America. She has written for a wide variety of publications and served as editor-in-chief of Caring for the Ages journal from 2020 - 2025. Galik will receive her award at the PALTmed annual conference in Anaheim, California, March 26 - 28. ### The University of Maryland School of Nursing, founded in 1889, is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. Enrolling nearly 2,100 students in its baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral programs, the School develops leaders who shape the profession of nursing and impact the health care environment.