Doty named Chief of Staff at UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
GRAND FORKS, N.D. — The UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) Office of the Dean is excited to announce Jessica Doty, M.S.N., M.B.A., R.N., as the School’s Chief of Staff.
A native of Pelican Rapids, Minn., Doty has been with the University of North Dakota since 2008, when she accepted a Registered Nurse position at the student health clinic on the UND campus. Later serving as Director of UND Student Health Services, Doty helped guide the University through the COVID-19 pandemic, assisted in shaping curricula at both the SMHS and UND’s College of Nursing & Professional Disciplines, and expanded partnerships between the student health clinic and the Grand Forks community.
“I am honored to join the School of Medicine and Health Sciences — a vibrant force for improving health outcomes across the University of North Dakota campus, the Grand Forks community, and the state of North Dakota,” said Doty. “It is a privilege to contribute to the living legacy of UND and the School’s ongoing work in advancing education, research, and healthcare.”
The Chief of Staff also provides a high level of assistance on special projects at the School, functions as a liaison for internal constituencies to the Dean’s Office, and ensures clear and consistent communication from the Dean’s Office.
“I am thrilled to welcome Jessica Doty as the new Chief of Staff for the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences and its executive leadership team,” said Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, dean of the SMHS and UND’s vice president for Health Affairs. “We have several major strategic initiatives on the horizon and Jessica brings a wealth of experience in strategic operations, organizational dynamics, and collaborative leadership.”
In her new position, Doty will be responsible for: coordinating activities managed by the SMHS Office of the Dean; working with senior administrators, faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies to advance and support the work of North Dakota’s only medical education program; and overseeing the School’s faculty recruitment process.
Part of Doty’s Student Health Services work consisted of co-managing the University’s fledgling Center for Aerospace Medicine, which involved coordinating several stakeholders – from Student Health Services and the SMHS to UND’s John D. Odegard School for Aerospace Sciences and aviation medical examiners across the state – on the design of a new Center dedicated to boosting the health and health education of pilots of all types.
To this end, Doty testified in support of HB 1612 during North Dakota’s 2025 legislative session. The bill passed both chambers of the North Dakota Legislative Assembly in April, establishing the interdisciplinary Center for Aerospace Medicine at UND.
It’s this collaborative acumen that Dean Jenkins is excited to bring to the SMHS Dean’s Office.
“In chatting with Jessica during the recruitment process, I found that sincerity, integrity, and generosity of spirit are foundational to her leadership,” added Jenkins. “I feel blessed by this successful recruitment and look forward to working with her in the years to come.”
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Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu | www.und.edu