Ever since she was 9 years old, Dr. Sandra C. Garmon Bibb wanted to be a nurse.

Since achieving that, she has served in the military as an active duty nurse, earned a master of science and a doctor of nursing science.

And now, Bibb has been named the new dean of the College of Health Professions at Wichita State. She said she’s excited to join the team at WSU in August.

“The people are great, the programs are great and I feel very privileged and blessed to be able to join this team,” she said. “That’s what I’m most excited about.”

Vice President for Academic Affairs, Tony Vizzini, said he is also excited for Bibb to join the team.

“I am excited about her leadership here at Wichita State and the future for the College of Health Professions,” he said in a press release.

Bibb said this position fulfills her dream of being a part of a team with a focus on just that.

“A long-held dream of being part of a team that collectively is focused on improving the health of a community … that’s really my life blood,” she said.

Bibb’s first name, Sandra, means “helper of mankind.” She said she’s just doing what she was “born and named to do.”

Bibb said her first order of business is developing new partnerships and relationships that include her in the established health community.

“Relationships are the beginning of everything,” she said. “There are a lot of community partnerships that have already been established … they’re established without me.”

Bibb will take over in August, replacing interim dean Keith Pickus. Pickus will be reassigned to other duties, according to a press release.