Dorrie Fontaine, dean of UVA’s School of Nursing for the past decade, plans to retire July 31.

Fontaine focused on both the student and patient experience, leading initiatives that emphasize compassionate care and a healthy work environment. Through the former, students learn how to care for themselves so they can better care for others; through the latter, the school commits to creating a place in which it’s possible.

That environment “is woven into our culture in a way that I don’t believe can ever be ripped apart,” wrote Theresa J. Carroll (Educ ’00), the school’s senior assistant dean for academic and student services. The main reason is because “Dorrie walks the talk. … She admits mistakes. She supports you when you make one. She is forgiving. She shows grace.”

Curry School Dean Robert Pianta leads a search committee’s efforts to find her successor.