Dr. Heather Shlosser has over 25 years of nursing expertise, with a rich background spanning clinical, leadership, and academic domains. Her extensive career encompasses full-spectrum clinical practice, holding national board certifications as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). Her clinical focus revolves around integrated behavioral medicine within primary care, psychopharmacology, addictions medicine, motivational interviewing, and mindfulness therapy. Dr. Shlosser has played a pivotal role in pioneering the creation and implementation of integrated behavioral health programs in both primary care and specialty medicine for multiple healthcare organizations. She continues to practice in addictions medicine as well as providing psychiatric consultations via telemedicine for underserved areas across the U.S.
Before advancing to the role of an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), she served as a Registered Nurse (RN) in diverse fields, including Home Health & Hospice, High-Risk Maternal Child Health, Public Health, Pediatrics, and NICU. Her diverse experience extends to the development of a PACE program without walls in Vermont, as well as establishing worksite wellness centers across the United States. Dr. Shlosser also held leadership positions as the Director of Public Health and within a Home Health and Hospice organization.
Dr. Shlosser has taught and held leadership roles in higher education for over15 years. She has developed several PMHNP Master’s programs and consulted on the development and revision of FNP and DNP programs. She is passionate about trauma informed curriculum and interprofessional education.
Dr. Shlosser holds an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Greenfield Community College, a BSN from Elms College, a MSN from Frontier Nursing University, Post Master’s Certificate from University of Virginia and a Doctorate from the University of Virginia. She is currently working on a Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education Leadership. She is an ELAN Leadership Fellow with the American Associations of Colleges of Nursing.
Heather Shlosser in the News
Nursing Dean Discusses Tech Advances in The Boston Globe
Nursing schools are turning to virtual reality-based training tools, including UbiSim, to address the nursing and nursing educator shortages. Dean Heather Shlosser is quoted in a Boston Globe article.
Honoring National Nurses Week
National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2024, offers a time to reflect with respect and gratitude on the work of nurses. In recognition of the week, here is a round-up of recent stories on the School of Nursing at Simmons.
Simmons School of Nursing Advocates for the Nursing Profession in the Nation’s Capital
School of Nursing Dean Heather Shlosser and Nursing Student Amanda Whitbeck attended Capitol Hill Day, where they advocated for crucial funding and support with several congressional offices, including those of Representative Ayanna Pressley, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and Representative Seth Moulton.
Simmons School of Nursing Joins National Campaign for Health Workforce Well-Being
The Simmons University School of Nursing was accepted as part of the inaugural cohort in the National Academy of Medicine's Change Maker Campaign for Health Workforce Well-Being.
Heather Shlosser Named Dean of School of Nursing
Recently named Dean of the Simmons University School of Nursing, Dr. Heather Shlosser has a bold vision for a transformative future for nursing education amid the current national shortage.