School of Nursing Leadership
Dean’s Advisory Council
This distinguished group of community leaders serve as the senior advisory group to the dean of the school and the Office of Development in strategic planning and fundraising efforts. Additional roles include advocating for the nursing school dean and promoting the interests of UCI in the community, country and the world.
Their unwavering philanthropic support to assist the dean in successfully reaching fundraising goals has led to scholarship growth in all undergraduate and graduate programs.
A former nurse, current lawyer and longtime social justice advocate, Jennifer Johnson dedicates her personal and professional life to making a difference in her community.
As an attorney, Ms. Johnson focuses on catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice and elder abuse, providing injured individuals with committed and compassionate representation in California and around the country. “
Prior to attending law school, Ms. Johnson was a nurse. She established her own law firm, drawing on her experience in that field, as well as on her expertise from working at two prestigious defense firms and at a national powerhouse plaintiff firm.
Dr. Diane Drake is a career Registered Nurse. Following a Post Doctoral Associate position at the Yale School of Nursing and an NIH Post Doctoral appointment at UCSF, she chaired the research council at Mission Hospital, mentored nurses and graduate students, and led collaborative research. She had academic and clinical appointments with UCLA School of Nursing and UCI Schools of Medicine and Nursing. She supported the initial UCI program of nursing collaborating with faculty in nursing research, and established the Diane Drake Nursing Endowment to advance doctoral student cancer nursing research.
Rev. Chineta Goodjoin, originally from Gaffney, SC, was active in her church from a young age, serving as a youth leader, liturgist, and elder, unknowingly nurturing her call to ministry. She earned a Master of Divinity from Johnson C. Smith Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA. Rev. Goodjoin served as Associate Pastor at Knox Presbyterian Church in Los Angeles, CA, before organizing New Hope Presbyterian Church in Orange County, CA. Previously, she worked as a Speech-Language Pathologist in Georgia and South Carolina, holding both a Master and Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology from South Carolina State University. Known for her storytelling preaching style, she has preached nationwide and published in The African-American Pulpit magazine. She is inspired by Romans 12:2.
Sue Gross founded The Sue J. Gross Foundation, in 2017. Ms. Gross has focused much of her philanthropy through the years on healthcare, with significant gifts to the nursing programs at University of California, Irvine; Hoag Memorial Hospital; Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science Nursing School; Saddleback Nursing Program; and Fullerton College. The Sue J. Gross Foundation has also partnered with The Marisla Foundation in Laguna Beach on various ocean conservation causes, as well as with youth and education programs, including Find Your Grind, Gross Labs, Tiger Woods Foundation, and 1st Tee. Previously, Ms. Gross was president of the William and Sue Gross Family Foundation, where she directed the more than $700 million the foundation gave to worthy causes in healthcare, medical research, and education.
Dr. Burtson Harrison has conducted research for many years, including projects on standardizing diabetes education to improve glycemic control, compassion satisfaction among nurses and meditation to reduce rates of depression and anxiety among HIV patients.
Dr. Aries Limbaga is the Chief Deputy Director, Operations for Los Angeles Dept. of Health Services, the second largest municipal health system in the nation. Dr. Limbaga oversees nursing, advanced practice providers, ancillary services such as laboratory, pharmacy, and employee health. His responsibilities extend to Emergency Medical Services and oversight of inpatient services, including management of the transfer center and utilization management teams.
Debra is an innovative, results oriented health care executive and consultant with extensive experience leading high performing academic and nonprofit health systems. Her expertise is generating connections between foundations, community, nonprofit, and healthcare systems. She is known for successfully leading strategic planning efforts and directing change in complex environments. Her leadership motivates teams to achieve organizational goals while delivering excellent patient care and outcomes.
Justice Eileen C. Moore, a UC Irvine and Pepperdine Law alumna, earned her Masters in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia in 2004. Appointed to the Superior Court of California, Orange County in 1989 and the Fourth District Court of Appeal in 2000, she has authored for the Thomson West Civil Practice series and the California Lawyers Association’s Litigation Update. Her books, Race Results and Gender Results, explore Supreme Court and Hollywood’s treatment of race and gender. A former Vietnam combat nurse, she supports veterans, chairing the California Judicial Council’s Veterans and Military Families Subcommittee since 2008. Her honors include the California Judges Association’s Humanitarian Award and the VA’s trailblazer award. She serves on the Veterans Justice Commission, aiding military transitions into civilian life
Judy Murphy, a pioneer and thought leader in the national and international health and nursing informatics communities, was Chief Nursing Officer for IBM Global Healthcare and Deputy National Coordinator for Programs and Policy in the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. Her efforts led both health care providers and consumers to adopt healthcare information technology. Previously, she spent 36 years at Aurora Health Care, an early health IT adopter, in clinical informatics and led their electronic health record program since 1995.
Chris O’Dea is a seasoned leader with over 14 years in the high-tech industry, currently serving as Senior Director of Corporate & Business Development at Veritone. He supports executive leadership in shaping strategies, including M&A and business development, and has led significant initiatives and partnerships. Previously, at Ingram Micro, he launched global IoT initiatives and advised Fortune 100 companies on market strategies. Chris has expertise in AI, IoT, and corporate strategy, holds an MBA from Schiller International University, a BA from Arizona State University, and a Business Strategy Certificate from Cornell University.
James Irvine Swinden is the owner of A.R.C. Properties and actively participates in philanthropic endeavors. He is the president of The Irvine Museum, focusing on California Impressionism, and oversees its operations, exhibits, and publications. Swinden is also the president and CFO of the Joan Irvine Smith & Athalie R. Clarke Foundation, supporting environmental, artistic, and medical research. Appointed by Governors Gray Davis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, he served on the California Cultural and Historical Endowment. Swinden is a trustee of UC Irvine, involved with the UCI Foundation and the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. He chairs The Irvine Museum Collection at UCI and is on the Advisory Board of the UCI School of Law. He holds a BS in economics from Wharton and a JD from Loyola Law School.
Dr. Jeffrey Vu is a board-certified family nurse practitioner and the Division Director of Clinical Services for Orange County Health Care Agency Public Health Services. He oversees programs addressing STD/HIV care, pulmonary disease, family planning, immunizations, and refugee health. Additionally, he is the Associate Clinical Program Director for the UC Irvine Health Gender Diversity Program, focusing on transgender health needs. Dr. Vu earned his Doctorate in Nursing Practice and MBA from Johns Hopkins University and his Master’s as a Family Nurse Practitioner and Bachelor’s in Nursing from UC Irvine. Recognized for his leadership, he received the UC Irvine Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing Lauds & Laurels Alumni Award in 2023. He has extensive clinical experience and volunteers for Camp Rising Above Disabilities.
Dr. Feizal Waffarn, MD, is a Neonatal-Perinatal Pediatrician with more than 55 years of experience. He graduated from DR M.G.R. Medical University / Madras Medical College in 1968 and began his faculty appointment in the Department of Pediatrics at the School of Medicine in 1980, retiring as Chairman in 2011. His research focused on perinatal stress, global health initiatives, and non-invasive monitoring techniques. Dr. Waffarn also earned an MBA from UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business. He serves on the Dean’s Cabinet in the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing and provides scholarship support for underrepresented minorities in honor of his late wife, Dorothy Janice Waffarn.
