Nursing Mourns the Loss of Dr. Linda D. Scott, Renowned Educator, Researcher, and Champion
Image: @uwnursing
On November 17, 2025, the nursing world said goodbye to Dr. Linda D. Scott, a trailblazer whose work changed the face of nursing education, research, and practice. Dr. Scott, who passed away at the age of 69, was the Immediate Past President of the American Academy of Nursing and the former dean of the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing. Her influence on the profession is vast, and her legacy is one that will continue to inspire nurses for generations to come.
Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, President of the American Nurses Association, described her beautifully: “Dr. Linda Scott embodied the very best of what it means to lead in nursing. She brought courage, compassion, and clarity to every role she held, always keeping nurses and the communities they serve at the center of her work.”
Dr. Scott made history as the first Black dean of UW-Madison’s School of Nursing, serving from 2016 to 2025. And let’s just say, she didn’t waste any time leaving her mark. Under her leadership, the school doubled its tenure-track faculty positions and rolled out cutting-edge programs, including the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and new Doctor of Nursing Practice tracks focused on Systems Leadership and Population Health.
When the COVID-19 pandemic flipped nursing education upside down, Dr. Scott leaned into her signature courage and decisiveness. With clinical sites closing to students, she ensured hands-on learning continued in the school’s facilities. Her quick thinking preserved educational continuity and kept future nurses on track for graduation during a critical workforce shortage. You know those moments in nursing where you have to figure it out, STAT? She did exactly that, on a massive scale.
Nurse Fatigue, Patient Safety, and Groundbreaking Research
We all know how nurse fatigue can turn even the most seasoned nurse into a zombie by the end of a shift. Dr. Scott’s research tackled this issue head-on, and her work is still influencing how hospitals manage staffing and fatigue today. She led the first national quantitative study on nurses’ work hours, connecting the dots between exhaustion, decision-making, and patient outcomes.
Her findings weren’t just eye-opening, they were actionable. Those staffing policies and fatigue management protocols many of us rely on? They’re rooted in her research. Over her career, she published more than 100 scholarly articles, leaving behind a treasure trove of knowledge about how human factors impact nursing care.
The American Nurses Association captured her influence perfectly, saying, “Her research, mentorship, and steadfast commitment to the well-being of nurses made a lasting impact on the field.”
Championing Equity and Inclusion
Dr. Scott didn’t just talk about equity, she lived it. From her personal experiences to her professional decisions, she was committed to creating opportunities for everyone in nursing. At UW-Madison, she implemented holistic admissions processes to level the playing field for diverse applicants. She also advocated tirelessly for diversifying the nursing workforce, recognizing that representation matters for patients and providers alike.
In a 2023 feature for the School of Nursing, Dr. Scott said, “We all hold that vision of truly transforming health care and extending health equity.” And she wasn’t just about the vision, she made it happen.
Beyond her work at UW-Madison, Dr. Scott launched the Science Adds Value for Everyone (SAVE) campaign during her time as president of the American Academy of Nursing. This initiative aimed to elevate nursing research in policy discussions and ensure nurses’ voices were part of shaping the future of health care.
Dr. Scott’s journey to becoming a nursing leader started in humble beginnings in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Inspired by her mother, who worked as a nurse attendant, she set her sights on a career in nursing. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. A high school counselor tried to discourage her academic ambitions (excuse me?!), but Dr. Scott persevered, earning degrees from Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and a PhD from the University of Michigan.
Her resilience paid off, as did her brilliance. Over the years, she received numerous accolades, including Grand Valley State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Pioneering Spirit Award, and the National Black Nurses Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
To keep Dr. Scott’s spirit alive, the Linda D. Scott Inspiration Scholarship Fund has been established. This fund will support nursing students who’ve overcome barriers, a fitting tribute to someone who spent her life breaking down walls for others.
As UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin reflected, “She built creative partnerships across disciplines and across communities to advance health care and nourish new directions and collaborations in nursing education and research. The School of Nursing, the nursing profession, and all of UW-Madison are better because of her leadership, and she will be greatly missed.”
Dr. Linda D. Scott wasn’t just a nurse, leader, scientist, or educator—she was a force. Her work and her unwavering commitment to the profession remind us why we do what we do. She believed nurses could transform health care, and she dedicated her life to making that transformation a reality.
Celebration of Career and Remembrance
To honor Dr. Scott’s remarkable life and legacy, the UW–Madison School of Nursing will be hosting a public Celebration of Career. The gathering will take place on Friday, December 19 at 3:00 p.m. in Signe Skott Cooper Hall, with a livestream available for those who can’t be there in person.
A reception will follow, offering space for everyone to come together, share memories, and reflect on the extraordinary impact Dr. Scott made on nursing, on education, and on all who had the privilege of knowing or learning from her.
