Young, who will begin his new position in March, comes to Louisville from Memphis, most recently serving as director of operations/technology and business development for the Center for Healthcare Improvement and Patient Simulation at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

With more than a decade of expertise in academic health care simulation, he will lead the design, development, integration and strategic direction of the Academic Simulation Center. Young received a bachelor of science in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama Birmingham, and master of business administration degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin.

“This position will be vital to promoting a contemporary, innovative and impactful Simulation Ecosystem for UofL,” said Jeffrey Bumpous, executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine. “We are fortunate to have Jarrod Young, an established leader in health sciences simulation, to make the center a learning, research, workforce development and community engagement powerhouse for the region.”

Young said the leadership and vision of the university and local clinical partners shows that Louisville is committed to impacting the future of health care by investing in interprofessional education and training.

“I am honored to join the University of Louisville Health Sciences Center as we collectively aim to support the future of clinical education and patient care through health care simulation,” Young said. “My vision is to support the current health care simulation experts at the university with my knowledge and experience growing a large health science simulation center into a world-class program.”

The new $280 million building on the Health Sciences Center Campus will house the Academic Simulation Center as well as serve students and faculty from UofL’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry and Public Health and Information Sciences. The space will foster collaboration that supports goals of the university’s and contribute to the elite level of health care education in the region. The university plans to complete the building by fall 2029.Ěý

“Fortunately, my dad pulled through, but my friend was not so lucky,” Meek said. “I learned that nurses held my friend’s phone, letting her Facetime with family after being extubated and as she passed. The kindness of nurses struck me over and over again – and solidified that nursing was my calling.”  

Fortunately for Meek, his transition from a marketing career to nursing was aided by a ’s workforce grant. A scholarship and funding support allowed him to take an accelerated path from work as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) to earning a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). “Earning my BSN is something I knew I wanted to do, but cost and time were the initial prohibiting factors,” Meek said. “I know for certain that I would not be working on my BSN right now if it were not for this incredible scholarship opportunity.”

, the $3.9 million Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) grant was designed to create an accelerated LPN to BSN pathway to address Kentucky’s nursing shortage in medically underserved areas, as well as reduce financial barriers for working LPNs to advance their nursing education.Ěý

Program helps transform student lives and communities

Enrollment soared from 24 students in the first year to 74 in the second year, and the program also has expanded from 19 to 41 Kentucky counties. Ninety-two percent of applicants and enrollees live in medically underserved areas. Based on current progress, 60 students are projected to complete a BSN degree within the next 24 months, strengthening the Registered Nurse workforce in rural and underserved communities.

“Not only are we making this program accessible to students but also having the scholarships and the stipends available has been a major factor why we have seen such growth in year one to year two,” said Heather Mitchell, project director and associate professor of nursing education. “Students are having a very positive experience and they’re going back and telling their peers.”

Through this , UofL is bringing baccalaureate education to all parts of the state and preparing nurses to serve the communities in which they live. Incorporating the best practices of online education ensures that even in the most rural and remote locations, students are able to attain the same high-quality education as someone who lives just two minutes away from UofL.

“Our students are participating in community-based experiences for the clinical education in their home areas and developing projects that directly impact those communities with tangible outcomes,” Mitchell said.Ěý

łÉČËÖ±˛Ą innovation through real-world scenarios

Innovation in nursing education is also a hallmark of the LPN to BSN program, including the use of simulations to expose students to scenarios they might encounter in their nursing practice.Ěý

Through team collaboration, Mitchell, along with Simulation Director Christina Pennington, Program Director Diane Riff and Program Manager Joel Schmidt have created a simulation directory that blends academic and real-world learning. The directory includes scenarios on respiratory disease in coal regions, gun violence trauma response, mental health and homelessness, among others.Ěý

The students aren’t the only ones to benefit from these resources. Each simulation is being embedded into RN-BSN online courses and being prepared for public release as open-source resources with full documentation, ensuring broad access. This will extend the impact to nursing programs statewide and nationally.

Mitchell said she is proud the innovative program is providing such an enriched experience for students. Schmidt agrees. “I receive comments from students about how much these scholarships and stipends mean, and how anchored in purpose these students feel for being able to go back and work in their own community. It’s something bigger than themselves.” 

In 2018, Proctor won a gold medal at the World Championship in baton twirling in Lillehammer, Norway. On May 10, the Buffalo, N.Y., native will achieve another milestone when she crosses the stage to accept her hard-earned bachelor’s degree in nursing. Proctor became an expert multi-tasker as she tackled nursing school studies, baton twirling for UofL fans and a job at Norton Children’s hospital as a student health care assistant.

As she rotated through different clinicals, her nursing capstone experience took her with the critical care float team where she encountered every unit at Norton Children’s. This helped determine her steps after graduation.

“I fell in love with pediatric care,” said Proctor, who has decided to continue her education through UofL’s . “I know pediatrics is a very hard job, but I find it gratifying. I’m here to make those kids laugh and make their days a little better.”

Fortunately for Proctor, making the decision to advance her nursing education means continuing to do the things she most treasures.

“I am so grateful that the twirling scholarship I received will pay for the majority of my DNP program – and I can remain for two more years as the featured twirler for UofL.”

The New York native credits the caring and supportive UofL nursing faculty who helped her manage the tough schedule and nursing school curriculum for the past four years. “It’s reassuring knowing that I have adults on my side to help in case I need it or just be there to support me like my family would back home,” Proctor said.

She recognized the impact of one professor, in particular.

“Starting nursing school, I was nervous because it’s intimidating, but then I met Dr. Rebecca Gesler, who recognized me from UofL games as the twirler,” said Proctor. “She has done a lot more for me than she may realize. I knew it was going to be hard, but I’m very grateful that the professors and instructors at the are willing to be not just educators but also support systems.”

As for the future, until at least May 2028, when the nurse is scheduled to complete her Doctor of Nurse Practitioner degree, the UofL community – and the whole community – will continue to benefit from Proctor’s talents as she twirls on the field and provides health care to children.

“It’s going to be tough for sure, but I’m excited to keep going and do what I love.”

Read more about Protor’s UofL journey.Ěý

This year, the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center (KRHSC) is celebrating 20 years of addressing the health care needs of this often-underserved population. A partnership between the UofL School of Nursing and the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund (KRHWF), the health services center provides care to backside workers and their families for a $10 co-pay. Access to primary health care remains a challenge for backside workers due to financial constraints, language barriers and demanding work schedules.

In May 2018, O, The Oprah Magazine featured the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center in its “Health Heroes” section, highlighting the clinic’s significant impact on the health and well-being of racetrack workers. This impact is the result of the continuity of care supported through careful mentoring and succession planning of center leadership, beginning with founding director and dean of the School of Nursing, Whitney Nash, and continuing to the center’s next director, Sara Robertson and now Dedra Hayden. This has proved to be an exemplar model of the school’s efforts to promote outstanding faculty and foster the professional development of nursing leadership.Ěý

Open three days a week, KRHSC has six APRNs (Advanced Practice Registered Nurses) and certified specialists in adult geriatrics, women’s health and midwifery, family practice, and psychiatric mental health. Throughout the past two decades, the staff has engaged in more than 26,000 patient encounters, making a significant impact on the community.

UofL News spoke with Hayden about this major milestone.

UofL News: What was the vision for creating the KRHSC and how has it evolved?

Hayden: The original vision was to serve as a safety net for uninsured backside workers, primarily addressing minor illnesses and injuries. Over the past 20 years, the center has expanded its scope, integrating preventive care, specialty women’s health providers, mental health support, and chronic disease management into our services. We have expanded our interprofessional collaboration within UofL including Latin American and Latino Studies, the School of Dentistry and the Office of Community Engagement. Several pre-nursing, dental, and medical students have completed language internships with us.

UofL News: What kinds of health concerns can the KRHSC help address for backside workers?

Hayden: A typical patient at KRHSC is Hispanic, non-English speaking, and works in the Kentucky horse racing industry, often without health insurance. They come from countries where health care is not a priority because the priority is to survive. Therefore, we start from the beginning and ensure they are up to date on all preventive care services. Common health concerns include musculoskeletal injuries, respiratory conditions, diabetes, hypertension, and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.

UofL News: As director and a nurse practitioner for the center — what is the best part, what is the toughest part?

Hayden: The opportunity to provide accessible health care and advocate for patients who might otherwise struggle to receive care has been incredibly fulfilling. The best part of the job is patient success when you develop trust and goals of care are met. The toughest part is observing patients who experience unfairness outside of our clinic. We are quick to step in as an advocate.

UofL News: What does the clinic mean for the community?

Hayden: It’s an essential resource for the community because we are improving health outcomes and fostering a sense of security for backside workers. It takes a long time to gain trust in our community. Its presence reinforces the importance of equitable health care access for all, regardless of socioeconomic status.

UofL News: Are there particular patients who stay with you – who you remember because of their story?

Hayden: I have so many stories. I was treating a patient who came to the U.S. and was experiencing depression. I learned she had left her children in her home country to come to the U.S. to work and was sending all her earnings back home to them. That was a tough one. Another impactful story was when a cancer patient was refused lifesaving radiation treatments. I brought the patient in and cleared him for therapy and was quick to call the radiation center and advocate that this patient be seen as soon as possible.

UofL News: Any other thoughts you’d like to share?

Hayden: It is an honor to be the director at the center. Without the unwavering support from the School of Nursing administration, the university and the Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund, we could never accomplish our mission. Even more importantly, the entire team of accomplished APRNs that I have the privilege to work with, who provide evidence-based care to every single patient, make our mission possible. Hats off to Krista Roach, Karen Turner, Sarah Carter, Sarah Cohron, and Courtney Albers. Thank you for helping make it all possible!

Data from the , the , and the document the significant need for additional nurses in Kentucky. The School of Nursing’s ongoing commitment to increase access to quality nursing education across the commonwealth is helping to address local, state and regional health care workforce shortages.

“Our objective is to address the shortage of practice-ready registered nurses by increasing access to baccalaureate nursing education across Kentucky,” said Whitney Nash, dean of UofL School of Nursing. “This collaborative effort with health care partners will provide greater opportunity to recruit and train more nurses, and meet workforce needs in medically underserved areas of Kentucky.”

The funding provides greater opportunities for students to obtain significant financial support, therefore reducing the amount students need to work while pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree. The award also will help lessen student loan debt and provide students guaranteed employment upon graduation.

These dedicated HWIF scholarships, in addition to the school’s other academic scholarships, will increase the overall number of financially supported nursing students at UofL.

Research shows that an increased ratio of BSN-prepared nursing staff within a health care facility can lead to improved patient outcomes with regards to mortality, post-surgical complications, rapid response recognition, length of stay and readmissions.

With nine Kentucky counties in the UofL Health service area and 16 counties in the Owensboro Health service area, UofL BSN graduates employed by these health care partners can impact the health of Kentuckians in 21% of the commonwealth’s counties – the majority of which are designated rural and medically underserved areas.

“This grant and health care partnership make a BSN education more accessible and affordable for students, which is a true win-win for the community and the commonwealth,” Nash said.Ěý

Nash is currently a professor and dean at Georgia Southern University’s Waters College of Health Professions. No stranger to UofL, Nash is a two-time alumna and has spent 17 years employed with the university. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing degree in 1997 and PhD in Nursing in 2010. From 1997 until 2022, she served as an instructor, assistant professor and associate professor at the School of Nursing. Nash also has held a number of leadership positions including: director of practice for international affairs, associate dean of practice and service, assistant vice president of inter-professional practice partnerships on the Health Sciences Center campus and as an executive team member of the .

In 2005, Nash was hired by UofL as the founding director of the , a clinical practice that provides free care to backside workers in the thoroughbred horse racing industry. The clinic offers a full range of primary care services, including mental health. In 2011, Nash developed and implemented the School of Nursing and advanced practice inter-professional education collaboration, which utilizes advanced practice nurse practitioners to guide students in obtaining consultations for medically compromised patients. Additionally, she founded UofL Care Partners, a nursing and dental clinic founded based on results of a needs assessment and in response to the lack of access to care for patients receiving dental care at the School of Dentistry.

She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. She has received dozens of accolades and awards including recognition as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing in 2021, Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners in 2017 and was a finalist for Business First’s Health Care Hero in 2016.

“We are delighted to bring an accomplished educator and leader back to UofL,” said Provost Gerry Bradley. “Dr. Nash will lead an outstanding School of Nursing to new levels of excellence in the years ahead.”

Nash says becoming dean of the UofL School of Nursing has always been her dream job. Originally from southern Indiana, she considers the Louisville area home, and says she’s had the honor of watching several of her previous students become faculty members and colleagues.

The new nursing dean says her vision for the School of Nursing is “to refine and accelerate every mission area, but with an initial focus on the research mission. I want to help the school really define its areas of distinction.”

“Again and again, Louisville took a chance on me. I was in the second cohort for the master’s degree and the first cohort for my PhD in nursing, and I feel like a pioneer in that way,” Nash said. “When I was hired to start the Kentucky Racing Health services program, they took a chance on someone who had not done something at that level. It means a lot to me that they had faith in my ability, and it’s come full circle now.”

Kentucky has a severe shortage of health care providers, with at least some portion of 113 of the state’s 120 counties designated as , including parts of Jefferson County.

“These kinds of workforce pipeline grants are truly transformative and will make a lasting and tangible impact on the health and wellness of Kentuckians for generations to come,” said Interim Provost Gerry Bradley. “Our highly trained and committed nursing faculty are advancing the work that enables us to continue in our effort to expand access to high quality and diverse health care across the entire Commonwealth.” 

School of Nursing Interim Dean Mary DeLetter says she’s proud of the nursing faculty who worked tirelessly to secure these grants that benefit nursing students, the nursing profession and ultimately, citizens across the state.

“These programs support opportunities to enhance clinical training and bring superior nursing care to all corners of the Commonwealth, from rural Appalachia to urban Jefferson County to rural western Kentucky counties,” she said.

Of the total grant funding, $3.9 million was awarded to Heather Mitchell, associate professor and interim associate dean for the undergraduate and pre-licensure programs, and her team to develop an accelerated LPN-to-BSN pathway for nurses in medically underserved areas of Kentucky. The program is a statewide collaboration between the UofL School of Nursing and the , and will also include academic-practice collaborations with three large health systems across Kentucky —, and . The grant will support scholarships for up to 83 students to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.  

“Our objective is to address the shortage of practice-ready registered nurses by increasing access to baccalaureate nursing education across Kentucky. This collaborative effort will provide an opportunity for licensed practical nurses to accelerate their pathway to RN licensure and meet workforce needs in medically underserved areas of Kentucky,” Mitchell said. “When I think about the impact we will have on nurses’ and patients’ lives, and for generations to come, knowing that we are making a difference out in those communities is so meaningful to me. This is why I do what I do.”

A second $2.6 million HRSA grant was awarded to Sara Robertson, associate professor and interim associate dean for the DNP and APRN programs, for “Advancing Diversity and Health Equity in the Primary Care and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Workforce.” Robertson is partnering with the , , and Mountain Comprehensive Health Corporation. The goal is to increase the education of nurse practitioners from diverse populations, including underrepresented minorities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“We want the nurse practitioner workforce to more closely mirror the population of Kentucky in terms of diversity and enable NPs from rural areas in the state to earn an APRN degree and provide high quality health care in their own rural areas across the Commonwealth,” Robertson said. “To be able to offer scholarships for students whose dream is to work with vulnerable and rural populations is impactful. This funding will help make their dreams of becoming a nurse practitioner a reality and at the same time, improve access to quality health care across the state of Kentucky.”

View the from the Dec. 4 press conference.Ěý

“I am humbled and honored to be named as a Fellow inductee of the American Academy of Nursing. I consider myself a change agent and enjoy challenges promoting innovative effectual change. I will eagerly lend my experience, passion and time to the Aging Expert Panel to develop policy recommendations that eradicate age-related health disparities, systemic racism, and ageism contributing to poor health equity,” Harrington said.Ěý

The academy is an honorific society that recognizes nursing’s most accomplished leaders in policy, research, practice, administration and academia. Academy Fellows, from nearly 40 countries, hold a wide variety of influential roles in health care. Induction into the Fellowship represents more than recognition of one’s accomplishments within the nursing profession. Fellows contribute their collective expertise to the academy, engaging with health leaders nationally and globally to improve health and achieve health equity by impacting policy through nursing leadership, innovation, and science.Ěý  

“Dr. Harrington was recruited to the university because of her expertise in the care of older adults. Recognition with the awarding of fellowship in the academy is one of the highest honors a nurse can receive. It signifies the level of esteem to which she is held by her peers,” said Mary DeLetter, interim dean of the School of Nursing.Ěý

Harrington has 37 years of experience as a nurse leader and has had regional, national and international impact on nursing practice, interprofessional health science and intraprofessional nursing education, and knowledge-generating research. She earned a diploma in nursing in 1982 from Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing in Charlotte, North Carolina, a BSN from Gardner Webb University in 2002, an MSN with an adult gerontology nurse practitioner concentration from the University of North Carolina Greensboro in 2005, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Vanderbilt University in 2011.ĚýHarrington earned a PhD in Nursing in 2018 from East Carolina University and completed a Post-Master’s Certificate in Nursing łÉČËÖ±˛Ą at the same institution in 2019.Ěý

Through a competitive, rigorous application process, the academy’s Fellow Selection Committee reviewed a record number of applications, representing a 30% increase from the previous year, to select the 2022 Fellows. Harrington was one of 250 individuals selected to be inducted. The 2022 Fellows represent 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 17 countries.Ěý 

The 2022 inductees will be recognized for their significant contributions to health and health care at the academy’s annual , taking place on October 27-29, 2022 in Washington, DC at the Marriott Marquis during the Induction Ceremony on the evening of October 29. Once the newest Fellows are inducted, the academy will be comprised of more than 3,000 leaders who are experts in policy, research, administration, practice, and academia that champion health and wellness, locally and globally.Ěý

The daylong conference is open to all advance practice registered nurses and will take place at the Kosair Charities Clinical and Translational Research Building, 505 S. Hancock St., in Louisville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Attendees will obtain 6 CEUs, including pharmacology hours. Lunch and free parking will be provided.

Beth Partin, DNP, APRN, the Kentucky state representative for the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, will give the keynote lecture on legislative updates. Partin practices family medicine in Columbia, Kentucky.

Other keynote sessions will focus on concussion care and Hepatitis A, B and C.

For more information and to register, visit .

Sara Robertson, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, UofL School of Nursing assistant professor, will receive the association’s Advocate State Award for Excellence, given annually to a person in each state who has made a significant contribution toward increasing the awareness and recognition of nurse practitioners. Robertson, a family nurse practitioner, will receive the award on June 21 during the association’s annual conference in Indianapolis.

Robertson was the first director appointed to the UofL Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program, which prepares students for leadership roles in health care. The program launched in 2016.

“This title brought her the responsibility of developing the entire program, which included curriculum development, hybrid course development, staff recruitment and development, and student recruitment,” School of Nursing Assistant Professor Dedra Hayden wrote in her award nomination of Robertson. “Always serving as the advocate for DNP students and practice, Robertson spent countless hours on program implementation to ensure its success.”

With Robertson’s guidance and commitment, the DNP program recently received accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing łÉČËÖ±˛Ą.

As director of the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center, run by the School of Nursing, she managed care of more than 1,000 patients per year. The clinic serves low-income backside racetrack workers at Churchill Downs. For her work at the clinic, Robertson in 2017 received the Edge Runner Award from the American Academy of Nursing, which recognizes nurses who are transforming health care for the better.