Troy Heidesch DNP, MSN, FNP-C

Troy Heidesch is the newly appointed director of Brenau University’s Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing, having served the past seven months as interim director.

Heidesch is no stranger to Brenau as he earned both his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner at the university. He later received a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the Medical College of Georgia.

He began his higher education career in 2011 teaching nursing students at Augusta University and later that year teaching part-time in the Family Nursing Practitioner program at Brenau.

“Dr. Heidesch distinguished himself while serving as the interim director of the Mary Inez Grindle School of Nursing,” said Jim Eck, provost and vice president of academic affairs. “He has worked to develop a more efficient governing structure within the school, led the program through a comprehensive program review, and expanded both undergraduate and graduate programs, even during the current pandemic. Dr. Heidesch has a positive and innovative approach to leadership, and he has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues both within the school and throughout the university.”

Securing needed funding for his school is also a major emphasis for Heidesch. He is active in pursuing grant support for the nursing school through state, federal and private foundation sources. Nursing students benefit from scholarship support provided by corporations such as the CVS Healthcare Foundation and Ethicon.

“Dr. Heidesch is Brenau’s lead on a recently funded grant from the Human Resources and Services Administration to provide financial support for nurses pursuing graduate degrees in nursing,” said Matt Thomas, vice president of external relations. “The goal of this program is to encourage nurses to pursue careers as nursing educators and address the growing shortage of nurses in North Georgia.”