EDUCATION: TAMIU hires new College of Nursing dean

By Jose Ruben Martinez
Bridge contributing writer
Published Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025

Elda G. Ramirez joined TAMIU this Fall as the new dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, indicating a new phase for the program.

This appointment is described as a “full-circle moment” for the Laredo-born leader who began the position in August 2025 at Texas A&M International University.

Ramirez’s nursing journey began in her hometown, Laredo, where she volunteered at Mercy Hospital.

“Once I had that experience in my life, I already knew what to do,” Ramirez said.

By age 21, she completed her nursing degree. In the early 1990s, Ramirez became one of the first emergency nurse practitioners in the nation. During that time, hospitals weren’t sure how to credential nurse practitioners, and many were unsure about the role and responsibilities they had.

“Not only was I in a new role, but I was also in a new field, which was emergency medicine,” she said.

These obstacles were overcome with determination as she went on to create the nation’s first emergency nurse practitioner program. Ramirez remembered the early challenges she encountered in her profession.

“Hospitals didn’t know in the early ’90s,” she said. “They didn’t know how to bill for us. They didn’t know how to certify us or credential us. The physicians had no idea what to do with us. It was very unique in that I was literally facing serious national-based boundaries and barriers to the utilization of nurse practitioners in emergency medicine.”

TAMIU Clinical Assistant Professor Iris A. Santos said her knowledge is already enhancing the University.

“Having just a background in the emergency room makes you a very strong clinician because you see everything from newborns, to older, to elderly and geriatric patients,” Santos said.

She also said Ramirez’s leadership should help reform the program.

“We really do hope that under her leadership we transform nursing education into developing a dynamic, student-centered curriculum that prepares our nursing students for complex, interdisciplinary health care systems,” Santos said. “She does have a strong clinical background and a strong research background as well. So, we’re very excited to have her here in our college.”

Through her clinical and research backgrounds, she brings experience to a critical educational field.

“She really champions for faculty and students, and she’s really a pioneer, actively engaging with our community and bringing in our health care partners to address the health care needs of our population,” Santos said.

TAMIU junior nursing major Marcus Narabal expressed enthusiasm for Ramirez’s appointment as the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and said his first impression of her was empowering.

“I thought she seemed stern and confident in herself, and very knowledgeable in her practice,” Narabal said. “She’s amazing, to be honest.”

Narabal also expects, under her leadership, a shift from focusing on passing the NCLEX to simultaneously focusing on hands-on opportunities.

“Most nursing programs in the U.S. mainly focus on passing the NCLEX, yet we are lacking opportunities to hone our nursing skills and it’s not the best way to study nursing,” he said.

He hopes for future growth and improvements throughout the program.

“I do hope there will be some structural changes or some improvements in the administration and the faculty,” Narabal said. “I want to see where the administration stands with the success and well-being of the students.”

Ramirez’s homecoming reminds her of how much Laredo and its people have grown.

“I absolutely have fallen in love with the growth here and the people,” she said. “It’s really been a lot more fun and there’s more here than I expected.”

In the next five to 10 years, Ramirez anticipates new master’s programs in kinesiology, speech disorders, public health, as well as two under-development programs for physical therapy and medical laboratory science.

Ramirez’s appointment brings personal and occupational commitments to the college. With her vision for TAMIU’s future, connections and her attitude in reforming the program, Ramirez is expected to lead.