Linda Sarna PhD, RN, FAAN | |
|---|---|
 Sarna in 2016 | |
| Born | United States |
| Education | UCLA, BS, 1969, Nursing UCLA, MN, 1976, Oncology Nursing UCSF, PhD (2012 converted from DNSc), 1989, Oncology Specialty |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) UCLA School of Nursing University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) |
| Occupation(s) | Nurse, college dean, professor |
| Known for | Nursing, oncology nursing, tobacco control |
| Website | www |
Linda Sarna is an American nursing researcher and academic. She is dean, professor and Lulu Wolf Hassenplug Chair of the UCLA School of Nursing. Sarna was appointed the school's seventh dean Nov. 15, 2016,.[1] after serving as acting dean (2014-2015) and interim dean (2015-2016).
Sarna received her education in the University of California system. She attended UCLA where she earned her BS in Nursing in 1969 and her MN in Oncology Nursing in 1976. In 1989, she received her research-oriented DNSc in Oncology Specialty from UC San Francisco, which was later converted to a PhD.[2][3]
Sarna is a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, and recognized as a distinguished research professor by the Oncology Nursing Society. She has been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau's International Nurse Research Hall of Fame,[4] and the Western Academy of Nursing. In 2018, she received the Oncology Nursing Society Lifetime Achievement Award.[5][6]
An internationally recognized scholar in promoting the role of nursing in tobacco control and oncology research focused on patients with lung cancer, Sarna is co-founder of Tobacco Free Nurses (TNF).[7][8] The TNF initiative, previously funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, helps nurses quit smoking and promote their role in tobacco control. Sarna's efforts to reduce tobacco use among nursing professionals have earned her several professional accolades,[3] including a Distinguished Service Award from the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care.[9]
Sarna's recent work has focused on helping nurses around the world help patients quit smoking, especially those affected by cancer.[citation needed] She has collaborated with the International Society of Nurses in Cancer Care, in partnership with Dr. Stella Bialous, in China, Japan, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Slovakia, Moldova, Hungary, Poland, Portugal and the United States.[citation needed] Other projects have included Korea, the Philippines and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HK SAR). She also has monitored changes in smoking prevalence among the nursing profession in the U.S.[10]
In 2016, Sarna was elected the first National Board Chair for the National Clinician Scholars Program (NCSP).[11]
She was named one of The 30 Most Influential Deans of Nursing in a 2015 report prepared by Mometrix, which measured U.S. nursing deans' work, dedication and passion.[12]
During the 2012-2013 academic year, Sarna served as chair of the UCLA Academic Senate.[1]