Alumni Spotlight: Kylie Dougherty LEXINGTON, Ky
Congratulations to Dr. Kylie Dougherty, RN, BSN, MPhil, who successfully defended her Ph.D. dissertation at Columbia University.
Dr. Dougherty earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors at the UK College of Nursing (UK CON) in 2019. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International.
Here's what we learned during our talk with Dr. Dougherty:
What is your current job(s), and what do you find most rewarding about your work?
I recently completed the PhD program at Columbia University School of Nursing. What I found most rewarding about my job was working on projects that have large-scale health implications for women and children living in low-to-middle-income countries.
I'm heading to Northwestern Medical School for a 2-year postdoctoral training.
What is your favorite memory of nursing school, campus, or Lexington?
My favorite memories from nursing school are the days I spent either in the lounge at the College of Nursing building or at coffee shops around Lexington, where I studied with my classmates.
What does it mean to be a UK College of Nursing alumna?
Being an alumnus of UK CON means the world to me. Not only did I make some of my greatest friends as a nursing student and receive incredible training to become a nurse, but I was also exposed to nurse-led research and encouraged by faculty at the school to pursue my passion for conducting research. Without UK CON, I would never have decided to get my Ph.D. or be able to work on the unique research projects that I've been a part of for the last four years.
Tell us something about your specialty that others may need to learn about.
One of the things I love about a nursing Ph.D. is that the degree is so flexible and opens up a world of opportunities. This degree has allowed me to travel worldwide, researching and collaborating with individuals at universities, private organizations, and government departments globally.
What are one or two fun facts about yourself?
1. I am a third-generation nurse.
2. I like to plan wine tastings for friends and family in my free time.
3. I've spent the last eight months living and completing my dissertation research in Ethiopia through a Fulbright award.
The UK College of Nursing values its graduates and wants to stay connected with nursing alumni! If you to be featured in a spotlight, please email our Alumni Program Coordinator today at Brittany.Fiero@uky.edu.
