LHSON Historical Overview
The Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON), located in Dallas, was established in 1909 as a diploma program within Baylor Hospital in Dallas, which is now Baylor Scott & White Health’s Baylor University Medical Center, and in 1950 became one of the six degree-granting schools of Baylor University. The first Baccalaureate degrees were granted in 1952, establishing the School among the earliest baccalaureate nursing programs in Texas. In 1999, the School was renamed the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing after Louise Herrington Ornelas, a 1992 Baylor Alumna Honoris Causa, who made an endowment gift to the School. The LHSON offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees through Traditional, FastBacc® (one-year accelerated) and Distance Accelerated BSN programs. Plus, the LHSON offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with tracks that include Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Executive Nurse Leadership and U.S. Army Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN). Notably in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, Baylor’s BSN program jumped into the Top 30 at No. 28, while RegisteredNursing.org ranked the Best Accelerated BSN Programs No. 2 in Texas. The latest 2026 U.S. News Best Graduate Schools rankings list several LHSON programs, including the DNP program at No. 37 nationally. The DNP-Nurse Midwifery track is in the Top 20 at No. 16 and The U.S. Army-Baylor graduate program in anesthesia nursing (USAGPAN), which operates at the U.S. Army Medical Center of Excellence at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, is ranked in the Top 10 to No. 3 nationally. To learn more, www.baylor.edu/nursing
LHSON Historical Overview (1909 – 2026)
According to the Texas State Historical Association, the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing (LHSON), formerly Baylor University School of Nursing, was established in Dallas as the Nurses’ Training School of the Texas Baptist Memorial Sanitarium in October 1909. LHSON was established in 1909 as a diploma program within Baylor Hospital in Dallas, which is now Baylor University Medical Center. The first graduation exercises were held at Gaston Avenue Baptist Church during the summer of 1912. A graduate of Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and Columbia University Teacher’s College assumed leadership of the school in 1912. Lectures were given by the faculty of Baylor College of Medicine. Students were housed in residences in the immediate neighborhood. In 1915, an instructor of nurses, whose entire time was devoted to theoretical work with the students, was added. In 1918, a new building was completed, providing classroom and office space for the school as well as residence for the students and faculty.
In 1921, the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) consolidated the Texas Baptist Memorial Sanitarium and the professional schools (medical, dental, pharmacy, and nursing). The hospital became Baylor Hospital, and the nursing school became Baylor Hospital School of Nursing. In 1936, the name was changed to Baylor University Hospital and Baylor University School of Nursing. These combined institutions were known as “Baylor-in-Dallas” and were regarded as integral parts of BU although, the School of Nursing continued to operate as a hospital-controlled nurses’ training school.
Although there was no national accreditation for schools of nursing in the 1930s, the school was registered by the University of the State of New York through the New York Board of Nurse Examiners and the State Education Department of New York. The school was one of two schools in the Southwest to receive a Class A rating by the New York Board of Nurse Examiners. Changes were made in the curriculum to conform to the standard curriculum published by the National League for Nursing Education and application was made in the 1940’s to the National League for Nursing Education for accreditation. The school ranked in Group 1 of the 1949 Interim Classification of Institutions Offering Basic Programs in Nursing.
A new plan of organization under the governing board of the School of Nursing was instituted in 1949. The administration of the school moved to Waco. Students in both the diploma and the new degree courses studied their first year in Waco and then completed two years of clinical work in Dallas. Those students desiring a degree returned to Waco for an additional year of study. In 1950 LHSON became one of the six degree-granting schools of Baylor University. The first Baccalaureate degrees were enrolled in 1950 and graduated in 1952, establishing the school as one of the oldest baccalaureate nursing programs in the United States. Temporary accreditation was approved by the National League of Nursing. By 1960, the school was in danger of being closed because of financial deficits. However, Baylor University supported the school and the office of the dean was firmly ensconced in Dallas with direct ties to Waco. In 1964, the School of Nursing instituted the first integrated nursing curriculum in Texas. The school grew to more than 200 students in the upper-division major of the program. A graduate program focusing on patient-care management was initiated in 1990. In 1999, the school was renamed the Baylor University Louise Herrington School of Nursing after Louise Herrington Ornelas, a 1992 Baylor Alumna Honoris Causa, who made a $13 million endowment gift to the school.
The traditional undergraduate program includes a specific curriculum of four semesters derived from a Human Needs philosophy created by the faculty. In 2008, the graduate program phased out a Leadership track, but implemented strong programs for Advanced Practice Nurses and Nurse-Midwives, namely a Family Nurse Practitioner track, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track, and Nurse Midwifery track. After approval of the Nurse-Midwifery Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) by BU it became exclusively available on the DNP level and the first graduating class was in 2010 and consisted of three nurse-midwives. In 2011, a Family Nurse Practitioner was the first student to complete the Post Master’s DNP Program.
Today, the LHSON is well known as an established educational program in a city rich with health care opportunities and challenges. Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing, the LHSON offers Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees through Traditional, FastBacc® (one-year accelerated) and Distance Accelerated BSN programs. Plus, the LHSON offers an online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program with tracks that include Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse-Midwifery, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Executive Nurse Leadership and U.S. Army Anesthesia Nursing (USAGPAN).
LHSON’s mission is to prepare Baylor nurses with academic excellence within a Christian community for professional practice, healthcare leadership, and service to society to exemplify the school motto: Learn.Lead.Serve.® Built on the momentum of three successful Strategic Plans over the past 20 years, Pro Futuris, Illuminate and Baylor In Deeds, Baylor University is positioned for a positive global impact supported by the understanding that our past is inextricably linked to our future and that responsibility to God and to the world continues to lead us.
LHSON Legacy of Leaders (1912 – 2026)
A number of nurse educators have provided outstanding leadership and have contributed significantly to the history of the School of Nursing.
Helen Holliday Lehmann served as Director when the School was a diploma program. She held this position from 1912 until 1923 and again from 1930 until 1943. Under her administration, the program obtained a "Class A" rating and became one of two schools to meet all of the requirements of the New York Board of Nurse Examiners at that time. In 1943 Mrs. Lehmann was succeeded by Zora Fiedler who held the position of director until 1951. It was largely through her efforts that the baccalaureate program was developed. Though the newly developed program was established on the Waco campus, Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas was utilized as a clinical teaching facility in addition to clinical facilities in Waco.
In 1952 the first class completed the new program and its members were granted the Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baylor University. Further refinement of the program continued as nursing courses were taught on both the Waco and Dallas campuses.
Anne Taylor was appointed Dean in 1961. By this time, the School of Nursing, including administration, was based in Dallas on the Medical Center campus. During Miss Taylor's tenure, plans for Wilma Bass Residence Hall, which included classrooms and offices for the School of Nursing, were developed. In 1964 the School moved into the new facility, the same year in which Dr. Geddes McLaughlin succeeded Miss Taylor as dean. Under Dean McLaughlin's leadership, the School experienced significant increases in the number of students and faculty. The Harry Bass Memorial Education 1 "Fall 2000 Facts" prepared by the Office of Institutional Research and Testing, Baylor University History 2 Center was built to provide offices and classroom facilities for the School of Nursing in 1977.
Succeeding Dr. McLaughlin upon her retirement was Dr. Opal Hipps. Under the direction of Dean Hipps, Baylor University School of Nursing began admitting students in January as well as September. The library facilities were separated from the College of Dentistry and a Learning Resources Center was established in Wilma Bass Hall. Lines of administrative authority were clarified in that the dean reported directly to the University administrators in Waco. A BSN completion program was begun for RN's.
Dr. Phyllis Karns was appointed dean in 1987. Under her direction the Learning Resources Center was expanded and moved to the Harry Bass Education Building. The graduate program in Patient Care Management admitted the first student in the Fall of 1990. The graduate program received initial accreditation from the NLN in the Fall of 1994. In Fall, 1998, the Family Nurse Practitioner track was added, followed by the addition of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner track in the Fall of 2000. A joint BSN-MSN program was added in the Spring of 2001 to replace the previous RN completion program. A major facility expansion and renovation was completed in August 1999, nearly doubling the size of the facility. Full national accreditation of the baccalaureate and graduate programs was granted by CCNE from 1999 through June 30, 2010. In the Fall of 2000, the school was endowed by Mrs. Louise Herrington Ornelas. The school was named the Louise Herrington School of Nursing in her honor.
Dr. Judy Wright Lott, DSN, RNC, NNP was appointed Dean of the school of nursing on December 20, 2002. Dr. Lott is a nationally recognized expert in skin science and a veteran neonatal nurse. Dr. Lott earned nursing degrees from Valdosta State University and Troy State University. She received her doctor of science degree in nursing from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, where her dissertation research focused on the effects of blood sampling from umbilical artery catheters on cerebral blood flow velocity in pre-term infants. Before joining the Baylor nursing faculty in the summer of 2001, Lott directed the neonatal nursing program at the University of Cincinnati and taught in the University of Florida College of Nursing neonatal nursing program. Under her leadership, the school grew in student numbers, programs, endowed funds, academic standing and promotional activities. During her tenure the Barnabas Success Center, the Don and Ruth Buchholz Simulation Laboratory, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program and the Accelerated Second Degree (FastBacc®) track were developed based on strategic plans for the school. Guiding us through our Centennial anniversary and receiving full accreditation from CCNE for both undergraduate and graduate programs, Dr. Lott strengthened the Christian focus of the school and constantly promoted the new motto of the school: Learn.Lead.Serve.®
In 2012, Dr. Shelley F. Conroy joined the LHSON team as dean and professor of nursing. Dr. Conroy’s extensive background as a tenured professor and dean at previous universities and her significant background in research, grants and sponsored projects equipped her to skillfully guide the nursing school during this important time of progress and transition in the area of health professions education. With more than 30 years of experience in higher education, health care administration, and nursing and health care research, she believed the Lord used her life story and experiences to prepare her for this leadership position at Baylor. During her tenure as dean, Dr. Conroy doubled the percentage of doctorally prepared faculty at the school. The graduate programs grew in enrollment from 50 to 250. Global partnerships increased and the nursing school established partnerships in India, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Zambia. The nursing school moved into a 100,000 square foot Academic Building in July of 2018 and the previous building expanded to become the Clinical Simulation Building with 25,000 square feet. Dr. Conroy remained on faculty but stepped down from her dean role in June 2020.
In July 2020, a nation-wide search was conducted for the next dean for the LHSON. Dr. Linda S. Plank, Ph.D., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs served as Interim Dean from July 2020 through April 2021, while also in the role of Clinical Associate Professor and Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the LHSON. She was later appointed Dean and served from May 2021 through May 2026. Notably, in April 2026, she received the distinguished designation as Dean Emeritus from Dr. Linda Livingstone, President of Baylor University.During her tenure as Dean, LHSON enrollment grew to over 2,000 students, incorporating into the culture pre-nursing students, faculty, staff and Parent Engagement in Waco and offering clinicals there. Plus, U.S. News & World Report national rankings reported the DNP program elevated to the top 40 at No. 37; USAGPAN in the top 10 at No. 3; nurse-midwifery in the top 20 at No. 16 and the BSN in the top 50 at No. 28. The LHSON remained globally active with faculty-led mission trips, robust hiring and the first Endowed Chair in Mental Health. Dr. Plank raised over $57 million dollars within the University’s Give Light campaign and she secured a new building for the Clinical Simulation Center after 60 years on Worth Street.
On June 01, 2026, the LHSON welcomed Dr. Tanya M. Sudia, Ph.D., R.N., FNAP, FAAN, Tenured Professor of Nursing, as the new Dean. Dr. Sudia served from 2014-2019 as LHSON’s inaugural Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship and a tenured Professor of Nursing. A highly accomplished nursing leader, previous to becoming Dean at the LHSON, Dr. Sudia was Interim Dean, Chief Nursing Officer and professor at the University of Texas at Arlington College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Before joining UTA in 2024, she served four years as Dean of Augusta University College of Nursing, the state of Georgia’s largest public university nursing program. She is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.
Superintendents of the School of Nursing
Diploma Years
Mildred Bridges 1904-1905
May Marr 1909-1910
Emma Goings 1910
Mary Chiles Scott 1910-1911
Mis Franks 1911
Miss Carlson 1911-1912
Dr. Henry Clay 1912
Helen Holliday 1912-1923
Elsa Maurer 1923-1924
Lucille Burlew 1924-1930
Deans of the School of Nursing
Baccalaureate Years
Helen Holliday Lehman 1930-1943
Sada Hayes 1959-1962
Anne Taylor 1962-1964
Dr. Geddes McLaughlin 1965-1979
Dr. Opal Hipps 1979-1987
Dr. Phyllis Karns 1987-2002
Dr. Judy Lott 2002-2012
Dr. Shelley Conroy 2012-2020
Dr. Linda Plank 2021-2026
Dr. Tanya Sudia 2026 - current