Linda Perlich, known as Mac, earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arizona in 1975. She began her career at Pima County Hospital and then, while studying for her master’s degree, transitioned to Amphitheater High School. As the school’s first nurse, she took the opportunity to set up educational programs and run various clinics.
For her master’s degree, she focused on community health and teaching. After graduating, she joined the faculty of the College of Nursing, teaching first medical/surgical nursing and then community health nursing. After five years with the college, she spent three years as the assistant director of educational programming at Tucson Medical Center; then, she returned to the college to teach for over 10 more years. In addition to community health nursing, she taught research and worked with the health science center on outreach and development.
In 2004, Mac’s family moved to Phoenix, where she became involved with several education- and arts-focused nonprofits and community organizations. She is the co-founder of Act One, which takes students from Title One schools to arts performances, and coordinates the Culture Pass Program in public libraries across Arizona.
Mac has remained connected to the College of Nursing, serving on the boards of the advisory and alumni councils while representing the college on the university’s Alumni Association board. She and her husband, Russ, also are generous donors to the college and members of the University of Arizona President’s Club.
