Business First’s ‘Women of Influence’ recognizes UB nursing dean

School of Nursing Dean Annette Wysocki has been chosen as one of Buffalo Business First’s 25 Women of Influence, an annual salute to leaders, exceptional achievement and catalysts for positive community change.

Wysocki was the only person from UB among this year’s 25 local women. She was also the first UB official or teacher chosen in the newspaper’s annual selection since Hadar Borden was selected in 2021. Borden is now director of UB’s Startup and Innovation CoLab.

This is the 18th consecutive year for Business First’s Women of Influence awards. The awards ceremony will take place on Sept. 12 at Salvatore's Italian Gardens.

Wysocki has been dean of the School of Nursing since 2022. In her short tenure, the profile of the school, her leadership profile and the distinction of the school’s programs have all risen significantly. Buffalo Business First selected Wysocki as the winner of the “Inspiration” category.

“The Inspiration category for which Dean Annette Wysocki won is for women leaders, who, through their words, actions and attitude, inspire those who work with and around them,” says Donna Collins, editor-in-chief for Buffalo Business First.

All Women of Influence winners are nominated by people in the community.

“Her nominator cited her leadership that led to the rise of the School of Nursing in national rankings.”

Wysocki’s two years as dean of the UB School of Nursing coincide with national recognition for the school’s programs. Those two years also marked a time when she became a national spokesperson for the nursing profession, which continues to have the highest regard of any profession, according to respected national polls.

U.S. News & World Report named UB’s School of Nursing as having some of the top-ranked programs in the nation. The school’s RN to BS bachelor's degree is now the No. 1 ranked bachelor's program in the country, regardless of discipline. The School of Nursing’s RN to BS program was evaluated among 339 online bachelor’s degree programs. It climbed to No. 1 after ranking 25th in 2023, and No. 39 in 2022.

The School of Nursing’s Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program moved up 11 spots to 34th in the country and No. 24 among public universities. In addition, the nursing anesthesia program was ranked No. 22.