Fischer, Lorene R. served as Dean of Wayne State University's College of Nursing from 1977 to 1987. She joined WSU's College of Nursing faculty in 1955 as an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing. She initiated the University's first graduate program in nursing, dealing with the care of children with psychiatric disorders. This innovative program was the only one of its kind in the state. Prior to becoming Dean, Fischer served as chairperson of the Department of Psychiatric Nursing from 1957 to 1975. She was appointed director of WSU's undergraduate program in 1976. She served on the board of directors of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan from 1990 to 2003. Service on other boards of directors included the Greater Detroit Council for the Blind and the Visiting Nurses Association of Metropolitan Detroit. Fischer consulted throughout the United States and globally for the World Health Organization and other organizations in Africa, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East. A nationally recognized leader in the area of psychiatric mental health nursing and nursing education, she published numerous articles on emotionally disturbed children and the development of the nursing profession and marketing of nursing education. In 1961, she was admitted as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing. She was a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the national nursing society. She worked in various leadership capacities for professional organizations such as the American Nurses Association, and served as a member of the board of directors of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, president of the Michigan Association of Colleges of Nursing, chair of the membership committee of the American Academy of Nursing, and secretary on the board of directors of the Michigan Nurses Association. Fischer held baccalaureate and master's degrees from Columbia University. She also pursued doctoral studies in higher education administration at the University of Michigan. After retiring from WSU, she and her husband, Heinz "Hans", resided in Dearborn. They continued to enjoy and support the Michigan Opera Theatre and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She is survived by her daughter Susan Warner of Arlington, VA, her brother Allen Rowen of Rochester Hills, and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband Heinz "Hans" Fischer and brother Henry Rowen of Madison, OH. Memorial Service 2:00 pm Sunday at the Dearborn Chapel of the Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Ave. Gathering after 1:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to WSU College of Nursing or Angela Hospice. www.howepeterson.com