Research College of Nursing Names Amy Townsend as President

Research College of Nursing announced the appointment of Dr. Amy Townsend as president. Photo credit: HCA Midwest Health.

Posted August 19, 2025

Research College of Nursing has appointed Dr. Amy Townsend as its new president.

In her new role, Townsend will lead strategic academic planning and oversee all undergraduate and graduate programs for the institution, according to a release shared with Ingram’s. The college has over 165 students enrolled in its Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program.

Townsend succeeds interim president Nancy DeBasio, who has served as interim president since 2023. DeBasio previously held the role of president and dean of the school from 1992 to 2017. In February, DeBasio was featured in Ingram’s 2025 Heroes in Healthcare, recognizing her achievement in lifetime service. 

With over a decade of leadership experience in healthcare education, Townsend has worked in curriculum development, accreditation, and strategic planning across diverse academic programs, including nursing, radiography, occupational therapy, and nutrition, according to the release. She most recently served as the president of Cox College in Springfield, Missouri. Additionally, Townsend held other roles while at Cox College, such as the vice president for student nursing and dean of institutional effectiveness.

“RCoN has a long-standing legacy of excellence in nursing education, and I look forward to building on that foundation to prepare students for the evolving demands of healthcare,” Townsend said in the release. “Together with our dedicated faculty, staff, and community partners, we will continue advancing academic innovation, supporting student success, and empowering the next generation of nurses to lead with purpose and compassion.”

Research College of Nursing is affiliated with Research Medical Center under HCA Midwest Health. HCA broke ground on a new 78,000-square-foot Center for Clinical Advancement on the Research Medical Center campus in September 2024. The $36.5 million investment is expected to be completed in early 2026.

“As we continue investing in nursing education through the new Center for Clinical Advancement, her [Townsend] guidance will be key to ensuring RCoN remains a national model for innovation and excellence,” President of HCA Midwest Health, Keith Zimmerman, said in the release. “We are proud to welcome her to the HCA Midwest Health family and look forward to the lasting impact her leadership will make on our students, our hospitals, and the communities we serve.”