The Many Faces of UTHealth Houston: Susan Ruppert, PhD, APRN, FNP-C
Following an appendectomy at the age of six and fascinated by the care she received from her nurses and their knowledge about her treatment, Susan Ruppert, PhD, APRN, knew right then what her career path would be in life.
The initial wonder of the health care process has led Ruppert, now the PARTNERS Endowed Professor in Nursing and associate dean of Graduate Studies at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston, across a nursing career that spans decades, a myriad of publications, and educating hundreds of students.
Modest beginnings
An Illinois native, Ruppert was a first-generation college student with what she described as blue-collar working parents. After high school, she enrolled at Illinois Valley Community College to take liberal arts and sciences classes with hopes of transferring those credits to the University of Illinois. However, toward the end of her second year, she learned her parents would not be able to cover the increased tuition at the university.
She returned to community college with plans to drop out of school, begin working, and save money to pursue a bachelor’s degree. However, a college advisor was able to restore her hope in pursuing her education.
“They said, ‘Well, have you ever thought about going to the nursing program here at the community college?’” Ruppert recalled. While it wasn’t her original plan, Ruppert remembers finding herself in a nursing class at the community college that same afternoon.
Her education journey
It turns out Ruppert’s education would not stop after a bachelor’s degree.
After earning an associate’s degree in nursing from Illinois Valley Community College and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Northern Illinois University, she went on to earn a master’s degree in nursing with a concentration in medical and surgical nursing education from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She later earned her PhD in nursing from Texas Woman’s University in Houston and postgraduate certification as a family nurse practitioner from The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.
Finding her home at UTHealth Houston
Throughout her career and educational pursuits, Ruppert had multiple opportunities to teach nursing students. When she was recruited by a former UTHealth Houston faculty member, she said it was an easy decision to join the Cizik School of Nursing faculty.
“She really sold me on the opportunities at UTHealth Houston,” Ruppert said. “We have the ability to be in an academic role but are still able to pursue a full career in the profession, both internally and externally.”
Now, 35 years later, Ruppert is being recognized this week during the STAR Award luncheon on Feb. 26 for her significant years of service at UTHealth Houston.
It’s safe to assume she seized many of the opportunities she encountered.
Ruppert maintains a faculty practice serving Houston residents, served on multiple nursing leadership boards and councils, and is a certified family nurse practitioner and an adult nurse practitioner. She’s earned an endowed professorship in nursing and is the associate dean of Graduate Studies at the nursing school.
Nursing awards and recognitions
Ruppert is the recipient of dozens of awards, accolades, and professional recognition throughout her career. She recently received the 2025 Chancellor’s Alumni Excellence Award from Texas Woman’s University.
Other accolades include the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus Award from the School of Nursing Alumni Association at The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston; a Piper Professor Award from the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation in 2021; a 2018 The University of Texas System Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award; and induction into The University of Texas Kenneth I. Shine, MD, Academy of Health Science Education.
She is also a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Critical Care Medicine, and National Academies of Practice.
Outside of work
When not handling her many nursing leadership roles, Ruppert makes time for family fun, travel, and community volunteerism.
She has two children and five grandchildren that keep a smile on her face, along with joy she receives from her love of traveling. Her latest trip was to Italy last year, and she is preparing to visit Greece later this year.
For over a decade, Ruppert’s volunteered with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Currently she serves on the Wine Events Committee, which puts on the annual Round Up and Best Bites event focused on supporting community service and raising funds for children’s scholarships.
A lifelong lesson
Looking back on her career, education, and achievements, Ruppert shares a life lesson with future nursing professionals she began learning back on the campus of Illinois Valley Community College.
“You have to be flexible,” she said. “Change is always going to happen. Faculty changes, students are different in each generation, and technology will continuously change how we deliver health care. What does not change, however, is the dedication in providing the highest quality education to students and healthcare to our patients."