Our Leadership
Interim Dean
Barbara Bates-Jensen, PhD, RN, WOCNF, FAAN, was appointed interim dean of the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing beginning August 1, 2026 and will serve through approximately June 30, 2027, or until such time that a dean is identified and onboarded.
A member of the UCLA faculty for nearly 25 years, Dr. Bates-Jensen, known fondly as Dr. BBJ, is internationally recognized for her clinical research highlighting wound care best practices and eliminating the disparities that exist in the detection of skin and tissue damage among persons of color. With the mission of ensuring that no patient suffers because of the color of their skin, Dr. Bates-Jensen is a pioneer in the field of detecting medium and dark skin tones for skin damage, and regularly works with vulnerable populations like nursing home residents and veterans with spinal cord injuries. For 10 years, Dr. Bates-Jensen led medical missions to underresourced countries to provide the knowledge and infrastructure to improve wound care.
Working with UCLA professors in computer science and bioengineering, Dr. Bates-Jensen helped invent a wound care medical device, the SEM Scanner, that measures skin and tissue damage before it becomes visible on the skin’s surface. The device was FDA approved in late 2019 and is used by hospitals in the United States and globally for early detection of pressure injuries (also known as pressure ulcers or bedsores). She is also the author and developer of the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool, used worldwide for chronic wound assessment and incorporated into multiple electronic health records. As associate dean of academic affairs with the School of Nursing since 2023, Dr. Bates-Jensen was instrumental in launching the Post Bachelor of Science to Doctor of Nursing Practice (Post BS-DNP) Program and preparing the school for an Academic Senate review.
Dr. Bates-Jensen is a widely published author and has been recognized for her work and contributions, including receiving the 2021 Kosiak Award from the National Pressure Injury Advisory Panel. She was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2010 and the Association for Advancement of Wound Care in 2020; and as an honorary fellow into the Wound, Ostomy, Continence Nurses Society in 2025. She has been a member of the Association for the Advancement of Wound Care’s board of directors since 2008, and is currently serving as past president. Dr. Bates-Jensen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Nebraska and both her Master of Nursing and Ph.D. in Nursing from UCLA.
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Liz Yzquierdo, MPH, Ed.D., works collaboratively across the school to lead and coordinate several units that support, provide and promote student access, retention, degree completion, and career development. She works with a dynamic team that includes Student Affairs, Recruitment, Outreach & Admissions, and Financial Services.
Associate Dean of Research & Innovation
Dong Sung An, MD, PhD, was appointed to Associate Dean of Research & Innovation in September 2023. His vision for this role is to support faculty members scholarly work with trust by ensuring best practices in the oversight and management of funded research projects and by leading new initiatives to enhance the research and career development of our faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and students.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Nalo Hamilton, PhD, MSN, APRN-BC, FNPWH, joined UCLA Nursing in 2010. As Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Dr. Hamilton manages the school's curriculum development, oversees educational quality, and coordinates faculty and student academic support.
Assistant Dean & Chief Nursing Executive, UCLA Health
Karen Grimley, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, NEA-BC, FAAN, serves as assistant dean within the School of Nursing and is the Chief Nursing Executive for UCLA Health. In that role she is responsible for the overall delivery and management of patient care and professional nursing practice, clinical education, professional development, research and clinical services.
Chief Financial Officer
Hector Arguello is the School of Nursing's Chief Financial Officer, responsible for managing the school's resources according to UCLA's financial policies and guidelines. As CFO, Arguello provides accurate and reliable financial information to the Dean and the School's executive committee, which allows the school to formulate short-term and long-term financial goals. The CFO works closely with the Dean and the SON executive committee to identify savings by utilizing the principle of cost effectiveness. Arguello also works to identify new revenue streams in collaboration with the Dean.