New leader named for Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences

Reading Hospital has named Debbie Rahn executive director, dean of Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences (RHSHS), the hospital said Wednesday.

Rahn graduated from the school’s nursing program in 1978 and has been a member of the hospital team for her entire health care career.

Rahn’s leadership in academic progression helped to create RHSHS’s certificate and dual enrollment programs, where students are dually admitted to RHSHS and Alvernia University. Upon graduation they receive a diploma from RHSHS and an associate degree from the university, Reading Hospital said.

Students can then transition into the university’s Bachelor of Health Sciences programs.

“I am looking forward to this new role,” Rahn said in a press release. “It’s been a privilege to be part of the growth of the academic programs at the school and I look forward to working with the team to create additional educational opportunities for our students.”

As executive director, dean, Rahn will be responsible for the leadership of multiple hospital-based diploma and certificate programs.

“Dr. Rahn is an advocate for our students and our academic programs. I know that under her continued leadership we will continue to see our students graduate qualified and ready to enter their chosen health care field,” said Dr. Wei Du, senior vice president, Academic Affairs and chief academic officer at Tower Health.

Rahn has held multiple positions in both professional and academic settings since joining Reading Hospital, including working as a psychiatry staff nurse, assistant head nurse of Reading Hospital's inpatient psychiatric unit, Nurse Manager of Reading Hospital's inpatient oncology unit, nursing program faculty, curriculum coordinator, and director of the RHSHS Nursing Program. Most recently, she has served as the director of RHSHS since 2009.

She is also an adjunct professor at Alvernia University, teaching in the MSN Nursing Education program.

“I can’t think of anyone better to take on this new role,” saidDr. Charles F. Barbera, Reading Hospital president and CEO. “She has dedicated her career to the Berks County community, and the students she educates will carry on her legacy.”

Rahn received her diploma in nursing from Reading Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Penn State University, her Master of Science Degree in Nursing from Villanova University, and her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Management with a focus in Higher Education from Drexel University.

In addition to her work with Reading Hospital, Dr. Rahn has held multiple leadership roles in organizational, state, and national organizations especially nursing education, academic progression, and nursing research.

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