Maureen Sullivan Gonzales, PhD, is an assistant clinical professor in the College of Nursing and Health Professions. She is a certified women’s health nurse practitioner who practiced primarily in the area of high-risk obstetrics. Gonzales has many years of experience in all areas of women’s health, from gynecologic oncology to obstetrics. She has served in many nursing roles including as a labor and delivery nurse, nurse practitioner, postpartum nurse practitioner and childbirth instructor. Presently, she is the course chair of Reproductive Health Across the Lifespan, which includes the women’s health undergraduate content. Prior to joining the faculty full time, Gonzales taught various labs and women’s health clinicals as an adjunct professor. She also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Gonzales serves as the faculty advisor for the Drexel University Student Nurses Association (DUSNA) as well as the Male Student Nurses subgroup. She also serves as a member in the Robert Wood Johnson mentoring program, The Board of Culture, Climate and Belonging and is a Drexel Nursing Faculty Global Health Equity Scholar. Her area of research focuses on gender diversity in nursing, and she has published and presented at conferences on the importance of diversity in the nursing profession and its important in creating an inclusive learning environment.

Academic Distinctions

Drexel University STAR TEACHERS: Fall 2013 - Nominated by the University for Excellence in and outside of the classroom

2015 - Daisy Foundation Nominee

2014, 2015, 2016 - Dragon Award - Excellence in Teaching: Awarded by the College of Nursing for overall yearly excellent student evaluations.

Professional Society

Selected Publications

Gonzales, M. S. (2025). Male Nurses and the Faculty Role: A Qualitative Study of Influences, Motives, and Gender Bias (Order No. 32168650). Available from ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global. (3234081455). https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/male-nurses-faculty-role-qualitative-study/docview/3234081455/se-2

Donovan, J., Chiatti, B. D., & Gonzales, M. S. (2024). Boldly Educating Nurses of the Future: Promoting Inclusion for the Childbearing Autistic Individual. Synergy in Scholarship and Research Symposium. Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, May 17, 2024. Podium Presentation

Donovan, J., Chiatti, B. D., McKeever, A. E., Bloch, J. R., Gonzales, M. S., & Birati, Y. (2023). “Yes, I can Bond.” Reflections of autistic women’s mothering experiences in the early postpartum period. Journal of Women’s Health, 19, 1-13. doi: 10.1177/17455057231175312

McKeever, A. E., Burrell, S., Bloch, J. R., Chiatti, B., & Gonzales, M., Donovan, J., & Birati, Y. (2023). Advancing the science of adenocarcinoma of the cervix. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 19, 1-4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104590

Grant Participaton

Grant Award Sept 2022: Innovation Education Grant 2500$: Drexel University
Title: Drexel Deliveries and the Lived Nursing Student Experience

Research Interests

Gender diversity in nursing education

Specialization

Widener University, Chester, PA
PhD
Graduated: August 2025
Dissertation: Male Nurses and the Faculty Role: A Qualitative Study of Influences, Motives and Gender Bias
Widener IRB Approval April 2024–present

University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Master of Science, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Graduated 1995

University of Scranton, Scranton, PA
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Graduated 1990