Dr. William Holzemer Receives Prestigious Japanese Honor
Japan has honored Dr. William L. Holzemer, dean of the College of Nursing at Rutgers-Newark, with the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, for his outstanding contributions to the development of nursing science and the education of nursing professionals in Japan. The Order of the Rising Sun, was the first national decoration awarded by the Japanese government. Established in 1875 by Emperor Meiji of Japan, the Order is given to individuals who have demonstrated exemplary service to the community and contributions to U.S.-Japanese relations.
Holzemer has been teaching at St. Luke's College of Nursing in Tokyo for 25 years and last year received the title of Distinguished Professor. For nearly 10 years he has served as the editor-in-chief of the Japan Journal of Nursing Science, which is the official English language publication of the Japan Academy of Nursing.
“This is a great and humbling honor,” comments Holzemer. “It has been a joy to have the opportunity to live and work in Japan, to make lifelong friends, and in some small part, to contribute to the development of academic nursing in Japan. Giving back to the community, whether in the United States or Japan, is easy to do when you’re doing something for which you have a passion -- teaching and mentoring nursing faculty and students.”
Holzemer has served as dean of the College of Nursing at Rutgers University since September 2009. He is also professor emeritus of the School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco. An internationally recognized expert in academic nursing and HIV/AIDS care, he has provided leadership on these global issues via the World Health Organization, the International Council of Nurses, and many universities around the world. Holzemer has served as a consultant to nursing organizations worldwide and was president of the American Nurses Foundation (2002-2006). His many other honors include service as board member of the International Council of Nurses, Geneva (2005-2013), member of the Scientific Advisory Co., President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief ( 2009-present), and member of the Board of Directors of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, New Jersey (2009-present). Earlier in 2012, Holzemer was appointed to serve on the National Advisory Council for Nursing Research of the National Institutes of Health for a four-year term that began Feb. 1. He also was inducted into the International Nurse Researcher Hall of Fame.
Holzemer is a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and of the American Academies of Nursing and is an elected member of the Institute of Medicine. He received his doctoral degree from Syracuse University, bachelor of science in nursing degree from San Francisco State University, master of science degree from Miami University, and bachelor of science degree from the University of Washington.
About the Rutgers College of Nursing
The Rutgers College of Nursing has been a leader in nursing education and nursing research for more than 50 years. From its headquarters in Newark, New Jersey , Rutgers College of Nursing offers a broad range of academic programs on the Rutgers campuses in Newark and New Brunswick, including the first doctoral nursing degree in New Jersey, a master’s program with unique practitioner specialties, and a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree. Faculty and students participate in funded research programs directed at promoting healthy living and improving health care practice in New Jersey, the United States and abroad.
