Dorothy Tu Appointed School's First Associate Dean of Finance and Administration

Dorothy Tu
Among her many accomplishments in more than 22 years at UC Irvine, Dorothy Tu played a pivotal role in establishing the UC system’s fourth nursing school.
September 5, 2023

Dorothy Tu, M.H.A., a UCLA alumna and experienced healthcare executive in the University of California system, has joined the UCLA School of Dentistry as its first associate dean of finance and administration. Her appointment commenced on Sept. 1.

“We are so fortunate to have Dorothy join our School of Dentistry community. She is a natural connector and facilitator, with a passion for the health sciences,” said Dean Paul H. Krebsbach. “In this newly created role, Dorothy will spearhead efforts to improve the School’s operational efficiency, achieve economies of scale, and streamline reporting structures.”

Tu spent more than two decades in several positions at UC Irvine, where, among many accomplishments, she played a pivotal role in establishing the UC system’s fourth nursing school. Serving as assistant dean of the UCI Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing from 2016 to 2022, Tu exercised oversight over all fiscal and operational responsibilities of the school, contributing to its rapid growth and development. This included capital planning for the $60M Nursing & Health Sciences Hall.

Before her involvement in nursing, Tu was the management services officer (MSO) for the Division of Gastroenterology at UC Irvine Health. As MSO, she effectively managed a diverse portfolio, including faculty practice, business development, financial budgets, and research initiatives.

Tu most recently served as the Director of Patient Engagement and Nursing Practice at Elsevier – a leading academic publishing company specializing in scientific, technical, and medical content – where she was responsible for developing strategies for clinical solutions in its North American market.

"It is an honor to be back at UCLA. It truly feels like I’ve come full circle. I am excited to be part of the School of Dentistry, as oral health is a key indicator of our emotional and physical well-being. I look forward to supporting our exceptional faculty, staff, and students,” said Tu, who holds a B.A. in psychology from UCLA and a master’s degree in health administration from Cornell University.