UH Manoa SONDH Welcomes Gary Glauberman as Department Chair
The University of Hawaii at Manoa (UH Manoa) School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene (SONDH) is excited to announce that Dr. Gary Glauberman has been appointed as the new Department Chair of the UH Manoa Department of Nursing. Dr. Gary Glauberman brings a wealth of experience and a passion for nursing education and research to this role.
As Department Chair for Nursing, Dr. Gary Glauberman is responsible for overseeing the department’s academic programs and faculty, which includes developing and implementing strategic plans, ensuring the quality of education, and fostering a positive and supportive learning environment for students.
“I’ve been deeply invested in the growth and success of our nursing program,” explains Dr. Glauberman, when asked what prompted him to serve in this role. “I’ve witnessed firsthand the impact that our faculty and students have in our community, and I’m inspired by their dedication to improving patient care and population health. When the opportunity to serve as Department Chair arose, I felt a strong calling to step up and lead our department into an exciting future.”
With over a decade teaching at SONDH, and a three-time alumna (BS, MS, PhD), Dr. Glauberman has a deep understanding of the program’s strengths and challenges. “As a faculty member, I have been mentored and inspired by some of the most distinguished nursing professionals in our state. Further, my experience as a student of SONDH has given me valuable insights into the needs and perspectives of our students, and the excellent opportunities our programs provide to aspiring nurses.”
During his time as faculty at UH Manoa, Dr. Glauberman has taken on a long list of roles and responsibilities, including lecturer and clinical faculty, course coordinator, director of the Advanced Population Health Nursing program, Student Nurses’ Association faculty advisor, and Treasurer of the UH Manoa Nursing Alumni Association, to name a few.
Dr. Glauberman acknowledges that there are big challenges ahead. “One of the biggest challenges facing the department is the ever-changing landscape of health care and nursing care, both locally and nationally,” he says. “We need to ensure that our curriculum remains relevant and prepares our students for the future of nursing.”
To address this challenge, Dr. Glauberman plans to collaborate with faculty, as well as university leaders, health care practice partners, and community stakeholders, to develop innovative and interdisciplinary programs that meet the unique needs of the residents of our island state and beyond.
Despite the demands of his new role, Dr. Glauberman maintains an active program of research focused on the impact of the environment on health and health disparities. He was recently selected as a fellow of the 2025 Environmental Health Research Institute for Nurse and Clinician Scientists, a prestigious national-level program that provides nurse researchers with new skills for conducting innovative research in environmental health. His research also focuses heavily on community emergency preparedness for public health emergencies such as natural disasters and large scale communicable disease outbreaks.
“My biggest hope for this position is to inspire and empower our students to become the next generation of nursing leaders,” says Dr. Glauberman. “I hope that together we can create an environment where students from diverse backgrounds feel supported, challenged, and inspired to reach their full potential. I also hope to strengthen our department’s reputation as a leader in nursing education and research. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and diversity, our school can create a brighter future for our students, faculty, and the Hawaii community we serve.”