Karen Steinbronn, ‘71, knows that exceptional healthcare begins with exceptional educators.
“Students preparing for careers in health professions need to learn compassion for their patients, so you need compassionate professors who want to spend time with them and involve them in their research,” says Steinbronn.
After a career spanning more than two decades as a pathologist for the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System and nearly 30 years as a clinical faculty member at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, she understands the lasting influence faculty members have—not only on their students, but on the patients those students will one day serve.
In 2014, she and husband Del Steinbronn established the Del and Karen Steinbronn Professorship in the College of Health and Human Services to support exceptional educators. This year, she expanded that commitment with a new $175,000 pledge, increasing her investment toward a $500,000 endowed professorship.
Steinbronn’s connection to NAU began as a biology major and chemistry minor, where she found mentors, lifelong friendships, and opportunities that helped launch her path to medical school. She remained deeply involved with her alma mater throughout her career, including serving on the Leadership Council of the College of Environment, Forestry and Natural Sciences and the NAU Foundation Board.
The professorship also honors her late husband, Del, a urologic oncologist who came to appreciate NAU through Karen’s involvement with the university. Together, they shared a deep respect for the allied health professionals who work alongside physicians to deliver patient care.
The professorship provides flexible support for faculty research, professional development, travel, and other opportunities that strengthen teaching and scholarship.
“It’s hard for NAU and many universities to retain great faculty, so hopefully this will help,” says Steinbronn. “I hope it allows faculty to do things that perhaps they otherwise couldn’t do , like focus on their research priorities, include students in their laboratories, or travel when needed.”
Since its establishment, the Steinbronn Professorship has supported faculty leaders across multiple health disciplines. Previous recipients have included athletic training professor Monica Lininger, nursing scholars Emily Adams and Maureen Yoder, and the most recent holder, Delaney La Rosa, who advances ethical integration of artificial intelligence in nursing education.
