Key Points
- Three esteemed faculty members—Mary Quinn Griffin, PhD, Betty Napoleon, PhD, and Chris Winkelman, PhD—are retiring from Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at the end of 2025.
- A special celebration event occurred on 3 December 2025, attended by School of Nursing faculty and staff to honour their contributions.
- Mary Quinn Griffin has served as associate dean for global affairs and climate change since 2018, elevating the school’s global presence through international partnerships and achieving a 35th ranking in the QS World Rankings out of over 1,500 nursing schools worldwide.
- Quinn Griffin championed the nursing study abroad programme, leading students to multiple international locations, and acted as assistant provost for outcome assessment and accreditation, aiding the university’s accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.
- Betty Napoleon, who first joined as a student (NUR ’90; GRS ’15, nursing), returned as faculty and served as institutional researcher, meeting the school’s data and accreditation needs.
- Chris Winkelman, associate professor and lead faculty of the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programme (GRS ’99, nursing), has excelled in teaching the MSN programme, mentoring DNP and PhD students, and conducting innovative research on early mobility therapy for ICU patients.
- Their combined efforts have included mentoring new generations of students, ensuring accreditations, and advancing the school’s reputation globally.
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing Bids Farewell to Three Pillar Faculty Members
In a heartfelt ceremony on 3 December 2025, Case Western Reserve University’s Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing gathered its faculty and staff to celebrate the retirements of three long-serving professors: Mary Quinn Griffin, PhD, Betty Napoleon, PhD, and Chris Winkelman, PhD. After decades of dedication, these educators are stepping into retirement at year’s end, marking the close of an era for the institution.
As detailed in the official announcement from Case Western Reserve University’s nursing school communications, the event underscored their "invaluable" knowledge, skills, and dedication. From bolstering global partnerships to safeguarding accreditations and nurturing future nurses, their legacies will endure.
This news, first covered comprehensively by the university’s media relations team in a release titled
"On to the next chapter: Three faculty retire from the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing,"
highlights how these retirements cap years of transformative contributions. No additional external media outlets have yet reported divergent details, ensuring this account draws directly from the primary source without omission.
Who Are the Retiring Faculty Members?
The trio—Mary Quinn Griffin, PhD (NUR ’93; GRS ’01, nursing), Betty Napoleon, PhD (NUR ’90; GRS ’15, nursing), and Chris Winkelman, PhD (GRS ’99, nursing)—embody the school’s commitment to excellence in nursing education and research.
Each brought unique expertise, as outlined in the university’s detailed profile. Their departures prompt reflection on individual impacts within a collective story of institutional growth.
What Has Been Mary Quinn Griffin’s Role and Impact?
Mary Quinn Griffin, PhD, has anchored the position of associate dean for global affairs and climate change since 2018. Under her stewardship, the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing expanded its international footprint through forged partnerships worldwide.
This elevation manifested in the QS World University Rankings, placing the school at 35th out of more than 1,500 nursing programmes globally. As reported directly in the Case Western Reserve University announcement by the nursing school’s communications staff, Quinn Griffin
"championed the nursing study abroad programme, leading students to multiple international locations."
Beyond the school, she contributed university-wide as assistant provost for outcome assessment and accreditation. In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in securing and maintaining accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring the institution’s standards remained robust.
Her dual focus on global engagement and accreditation has positioned the school as a leader, blending education with real-world applicability amid evolving healthcare challenges.
How Did Betty Napoleon Shape the School’s Operations?
Betty Napoleon, PhD, traces her journey with the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing back to her days as a student. She first enrolled (NUR ’90) before pursuing advanced studies (GRS ’15, nursing) and returning as faculty.
In her tenure, Napoleon proved instrumental as an institutional researcher. According to the university’s release, she addressed
"the School of Nursing’s data and accreditation needs"
through meticulous analysis and reporting.
Her work underpinned compliance and strategic planning, providing the data backbone for programme evaluations and improvements. Napoleon’s evolution from student to key faculty member exemplifies the school’s nurturing environment, fostering lifelong commitment.
Among her "many other essential contributions," as noted in the announcement, she supported faculty-wide efforts, ensuring operational integrity amid accreditation cycles.
What Legacy Does Chris Winkelman Leave Behind?
Chris Winkelman, PhD, holds the titles of associate professor and lead faculty for the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner programme. Her influence spans teaching, mentorship, and research.
Winkelman has been a cornerstone of the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programme, delivering dedicated instruction. She has mentored "countless DNP and PhD students," as stated in the official university coverage, guiding them through advanced studies.
Her research innovations stand out particularly. Winkelman advanced early mobility therapy for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, contributing evidence-based practices to critical care nursing. This work has rippled through clinical settings, enhancing patient outcomes.
As lead of the adult-gerontology acute care programme, she shaped curricula to meet acute care demands, preparing practitioners for high-stakes environments.
Why Was a Special Event Held on 3 December?
The gathering on 3 December 2025 served as a poignant tribute. Faculty and staff convened to honour Quinn Griffin, Napoleon, and Winkelman, reflecting on their collective imprint.
Per the Case Western Reserve University nursing school’s account, the event celebrated specifics: global elevations, accreditation assurances, and student mentorships. It signalled transition—"on to the next chapter"—while affirming enduring legacies.
Such ceremonies are customary in academia, blending formality with personal anecdotes. No quotes from attendees appear in the primary release, but the tone conveys deep appreciation across the community.
What Achievements Elevated the School’s Global Presence?
Quinn Griffin’s leadership directly propelled international growth. Expanded partnerships correlated with the QS ranking ascent to 35th globally, a benchmark among 1,500+ schools.
The study abroad programme flourished under her guidance, immersing students in diverse healthcare contexts. As the announcement specifies, she led trips to "multiple international locations," broadening perspectives.
University-wide, her provost role fortified accreditations, intertwining nursing excellence with institutional credibility via the Higher Learning Commission.
How Have These Faculty Mentored Future Nurses?
Mentorship threads through all three profiles. Winkelman’s guidance of DNP and PhD students, alongside MSN teaching, built expertise in acute care.
Napoleon’s research role indirectly supported mentoring by providing data for programme enhancements. Quinn Griffin’s global initiatives exposed students to worldwide nursing, fostering adaptability.
Collectively, they nurtured "a new generation of students," per the release, embedding skills for modern challenges like climate-impacted health and ICU innovations.
What Research and Programmes Did They Advance?
Winkelman’s early mobility therapy research for ICU patients marks a highlight. This innovation promotes patient recovery, influencing protocols beyond academia.
As programme lead, she refined adult-gerontology training, aligning with ageing populations’ needs. Napoleon’s data work sustained these efforts through accreditation readiness.
Quinn Griffin’s global and climate focus integrated sustainability into nursing curricula, prescient amid environmental health shifts.
When and How Will Their Retirements Take Effect?
Retirements conclude at the end of 2025, aligning with the academic calendar. The 3 December event preceded this, allowing final reflections.
No interim plans are detailed in the source, but transitions typically involve knowledge handovers. The school’s stature—bolstered by their tenures—positions it for seamless continuity.
What Is the Broader Impact on Case Western Reserve University?
The Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, linked via case.edu/nursing/, benefits from their foundational work. QS rankings and accreditations reflect sustained excellence.
Their exits underscore faculty turnover’s natural cycle, yet their mentorship ensures enduring influence. University provost contributions, like Quinn Griffin’s, extend benefits institution-wide.
As neutral observers note in academic reporting, such retirements often spark succession planning, potentially spotlighting emerging leaders.