Cornerstone University Appoints National Nursing Leader Gay L. Landstrom to Lead Nursing Program
Cornerstone University has appointed Gay L. Landstrom, Ph.D., RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, FACHE, PCC, as Assistant Dean, Chief Nurse Administrator, and Professor of Nursing, bringing one of the nation’s most accomplished nursing leaders to the School of Health, Science & Technology.
A nationally recognized nursing leader, researcher, and pioneer in health care innovation, Landstrom has spent her career advancing nursing leadership, technology-enabled care, and new models of care delivery across some of the nation’s largest health care organizations. In her new role, she will provide strategic, academic, and operational leadership for Cornerstone’s nursing program and health disciplines while helping prepare graduates for a health care profession increasingly shaped by innovation, emerging technologies, and evolving models of care.
“Few nursing leaders have shaped health care innovation, nursing practice, and workforce development on the scale Dr. Landstrom has,” said Dr. Gerson Moreno-Riaño, president of Cornerstone University. “Cornerstone welcomes Dr. Landstrom and eagerly anticipates all the many great accomplishments to which she will lead our nursing program and students while remaining steadfast to Cornerstone’s Christ-first mission and Biblical Christian worldview.”
Landstrom joins Cornerstone as the university continues to strengthen its CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. The program combines simulation-based learning, extensive clinical partnerships, and a Christ-centered approach to health care education. Cornerstone nursing graduates achieved a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate in both 2024 and 2025, reflecting the program’s commitment to preparing competent and compassionate nurses for Michigan and the nation.
Landstrom joins Cornerstone after executive leadership roles with Trinity Health, Ascension and Dartmouth Health. As Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer for Trinity Health, she provided leadership for nursing practice across 101 hospitals, continuing care, hundreds of ambulatory clinics, and approximately 33,000 registered nurses. Her work has advanced virtual nursing, technology-enabled care, patient safety, health care quality, workforce development, and innovative care delivery models that continue to influence the profession nationwide.
Highlights of her leadership include designing and launching an enterprise-wide virtual nursing model, developing innovative care delivery systems that integrate virtual and bedside nursing, building leadership pipelines for nurse executives, leading nursing research and education initiatives, and advancing health care partnerships that strengthen both workforce development and patient outcomes.
“Preparing the next generation of nursing leaders and clinical professionals is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of health care,” said Landstrom. “I am honored to join Cornerstone as we equip students for a profession being transformed by innovation, emerging technologies, and new models of care. Cornerstone’s commitment to academic excellence and a Christ-centered worldview provides a distinctive foundation for developing health care professionals who serve others with both clinical expertise and compassion.”
Landstrom holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nursing from the University of Michigan, a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, magna cum laude, from Rush University. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, Fellow of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
“Dr. Landstrom is widely respected for her contributions to nursing leadership, scholarship, and health care innovation,” said Dr. Nathan Lanning, dean of Cornerstone University’s School of Health, Science & Technology. “Her experience developing nurse leaders, advancing research, building health care partnerships, and implementing new models of care will enrich our nursing program and create new opportunities for students. We are honored to welcome a leader of her caliber to Cornerstone.”
Throughout much of her career, Landstrom served in Christian health care ministries whose missions emphasized gospel-centered healing, service, and the dignity of every person. At Cornerstone, she values the opportunity to extend those commitments through nursing education. Her appointment advances The Cornerstone Advantage™, the university’s commitment to integrating professional expertise with a sophisticated application of how a Christian worldview elevates health care, science, leadership, and the responsible use of emerging technologies.
By preparing nursing leaders and clinical professionals who combine clinical excellence with compassionate care, Landstrom hopes to strengthen patients, families, health care organizations, and communities throughout Michigan, the region, and the world.
To learn more about Cornerstone University’s CCNE-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and our wide range of health care and science degree programs, contact admissions@cornerstone.edu or 616.222.1426.
