Title: Dean
Company: Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies
Location: Hempstead, New York, United States
Kristy Loewenstein, PhD, Dean at the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Psychiatric Nursing Education and Administration.
Dr. Loewenstein is recognized for her success and tenure in healthcare and education and is currently affiliated with Hofstra University in New York. Since 2025, she has served as the dean of the Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies on campus, following her tenure as the interim dean from 2024 to 2025. In these roles, she has overseen curriculum development, faculty engagement and strategic planning to advance the institution’s mission. Her daily responsibilities include attending weekly leadership meetings, conducting one-on-one faculty sessions annually, participating in quarterly and monthly departmental meetings and leading biweekly quality reviews with her data team. Dr. Loewenstein also facilitates faculty development sessions and ensures resources are available for student simulation activities. She is deeply committed to the university’s core values and vision, focusing on student success as a central pillar of the strategic plan.
Before being named dean at Hofstra University, Dr. Loewenstein was the deputy chief nursing officer at South Oaks Hospital with Northwell Health in Amityville, New York, from 2021 to 2025. Her earlier career included a distinguished tenure at Zucker Hillside Hospital with Northwell Health, which spanned more than two decades between 1999 to 2024. During this period, Dr. Loewenstein held positions as a registered nurse and senior administrator, director of patient care services, and director of nursing education and professional development.
Dr. Loewenstein is most proud of her work at Zucker Hillside Hospital, where she championed trauma-informed care practices in inpatient psychiatry, reduced stigma around mental illness and prioritized professional development for nursing staff. She also joined the education department in 2007 and spent over a decade training staff in crisis prevention strategies. Dr. Loewenstein simultaneously contributed to academia as a clinical adjunct instructor at Adelphi University from 2011 to 2024.
In preparation for her career in healthcare and education, Dr. Loewenstein received an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Centers of New York in 1998, a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Master of Science in psychiatric mental health nursing from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2008 and 2010, respectively, and a Doctor of Philosophy in nursing science from the Medical University of South Carolina in 2019. She also holds certification as a registered nurse.
In addition to her primary career endeavors, Dr. Loewenstein’s expertise in psychiatric nursing is further reflected through her board membership with the New York chapter of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association since 2010. She also maintains active involvement with organizations such as the Association for Nurses and Professional Development, the New York Organization of Nursing Leadership, the New York Council of Deans and the American Nurses Association.
Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Loewenstein is civically engaged through volunteer work with Operation Splash, Habitat for Humanity International and local clean-up drives in Babylon, New York. She also supports her husband’s leadership as the president of the Kiwanis Club by assisting with community projects, such as Thanksgiving food drives. Additionally, Dr. Loewenstein hosts educational events for Girl Scouts to introduce them to healthcare professions.
Dr. Loewenstein’s achievements have been recognized with several honors, including being nominated multiple times for the President’s Award at Northwell Health. She also received accolades during her time in college and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the Golden Key International Honor Society. Dr. Loewenstein attributes her success to strong organizational skills honed through the years, balancing professional duties with academic pursuits and family life, as well as several influential mentors.
Looking ahead, Dr. Loewenstein aims to further develop new programs at Hofstra University by refining graduate curricula and improving board pass rates for aspiring nurses. She is dedicated to raising the school’s profile through faculty recognition initiatives and leveraging its state-of-the-art facilities to attract future students. Furthermore, Dr. Loewenstein continues to advocate for compassionate care, lifelong learning and empathy within the field of psychiatric nursing.
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