Dr. Ken White is Dean Emeritus of the School of Nursing at the MGH Institute of Health Professions (IHP) in Boston, and is highly regarded for his contributions as a health and academic executive, researcher, and clinician.

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Prior to joining the IHP, Dr. White served as Associate Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Nursing and held the UVA Health Endowed Professorship in Nursing along with joint appointments in the McIntire School of Commerce, the Darden School of Business, and the UVA School of Medicine. Before joining UVA, he spent 20 years at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) serving as associate director and then director of VCU's Master’s in Health Administration program, while holding the inaugural Charles P. Cardwell, Jr., Professor of Health Administration, and later he was named the inaugural Sentara Healthcare Professor. He currently holds Emeritus Professor appointments at both VCU and UVA. His academic impact is also felt on a global scale having completed visiting professorships at the Luiss Business School in Rome and at the Swiss School of Public Health, as well as distinguished consultancies in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Guam, Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau.

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A seasoned health care administrator, Dr. White has dedicated his career to building wellness into all aspects of care. He was an executive with the Mercy Health System, an international provider of health care, where he led the civilian hospital in Guam and served in various administrative roles with Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. Dr. White is also the author of the award-winning book, The Well-Managed Healthcare Organization, which is in its 10th edition and has been translated into four languages. He is also the author of Take Charge of Your Healthcare Management Career: 50 Lessons that Drive Success and Boost Your Nursing Leadership Career.

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Dr. White is a Fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing (Academy, inducted in 2012) and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). From 2021 to 2023, Dr. White served as the President of the American Academy of Nursing. Under his leadership, the Academy revitalized its stewardship, personal outreach, and relationship building to strengthen the sense of community within the Fellowship. Of significance, Dr. White’s presidency coincided with the Academy’s 50th anniversary, which included a celebration that broke record attendance numbers for the Academy.

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Dr. White has been honored with ACHE’s Gold Medal Award, VCU School of Nursing’s Outstanding Alumnus Award, VCU College of Health Professions Lifetime Service and Achievement Award, and The DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2024, Dr. White was named a Luminary Fellow of the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing by the National Black Nurses Association. 

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Dr. White earned his PhD, MSN, and BSN from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also earned an MPH in Health Administration from the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, Dr. White holds specialty certification in hospice and palliative care, and is an adult/gerontology acute care nurse practitioner.