Rate My Professor Amber Kujath

Amber Kujath, PhD, RN, ONC, is the Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and Deloris Helsley Ascher Professor of Nursing at Illinois Wesleyan University, where she began her tenure on January 3, 2023. A proud alumna of the institution, she graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Kujath advanced her education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, earning a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing between 2004 and 2012. Before returning to her alma mater, she served as an Associate Professor at the College of Nursing at Rush University in Chicago for ten years. Earlier in her career, she taught and worked as a research specialist and research assistant at the University of Illinois at Chicago. With more than 15 years of clinical experience at medical centers in Bloomington and Chicago, Kujath brings extensive practical knowledge to her academic leadership role. Her areas of expertise include orthopedics, diabetes, and pathophysiology.

Kujath’s research specializations center on musculoskeletal conditions, such as bone and mineral deposition, osteoporosis, and lifestyle factors. She has led research studies and published clinical articles, including contributions to a study on bone health awareness among orthopaedic bedside nurses, which demonstrated that 56% of participants would alter the information they share with patients following specialized education; this work earned her team the Clara Donahoo & Joseph Dimon Memorial Clinical Legacy Lectureship at the National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) annual congress. Over 20 years in the orthopaedic specialty, Kujath has demonstrated outstanding leadership, serving as National Executive Board President of NAON, past president of the Orthopaedic Nursing Certification Board, and a member of the editorial board and research reviewer for the Orthopaedic Nursing Journal. She has also worked as an orthopaedic nursing legal consultant for firms nationwide. Her contributions have been honored with prestigious awards, including NAON Fellow (2024) for dedication to continuous learning and healthcare excellence, Rush University College of Nursing Education MVP (2019), Distinguished Service to NAON (2019), 40 under 40 Emerging Nurse Leader Award from the Illinois Nurses Association, NAON Foundation Leadership Award, and Nurse Educator Fellowship Award from the Illinois Board of Higher Education. Kujath’s commitment to eliminating health disparities aligns with contemporary nursing priorities, enhancing the impact of her teaching and leadership on future healthcare professionals.