New Nursing Faculty Added to Briar Cliff

June 28, 2020

The Briar Cliff University nursing department is pleased to welcome Dr. Candance Chihak to campus as the new department chair.

Dr. Chihak comes to BCU from Mt. Mercy University as an assistant professor and program director. Working as a nurse for 30 years in a variety of settings including operating rooms, post-surgical care, long-term care and public health.

She holds her bachelors in nursing and masters in nursing with an emphasis in Health Advocacy from Mt. Mercy as well as a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Northern Iowa.

Dr. Shannon O’Connell-Persaud also joined the department as assistant professor of nursing in January. She received degrees in both nursing and business from Briar Cliff as well as her Ph.D in nursing from South Dakota State University. Her dissertation topic was entitled: Spirituality, Religiosity, and Perceived Ability to Provide Spiritual Care in Nursing Students.