'Behind the Blue': UK Nursing alum discusses military nursing career
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 22, 2024) — Col. Wendy Woodall is no stranger to spending time in new locations. Growing up in a U.S. military family and living in a variety of locations during her childhood, she calls herself a native of Princeton, Kentucky, where her father is from.
While attending high school in Virginia, her father decided to retire from military service and move back to Kentucky. She decided to attend the University of Kentucky, because she was familiar with the school due to her dad's love of UK Athletics. Little did she know that this decision would lead her to a fulfilling academic experience and a lifelong passion for nursing.
A proud alumna of the UK College of Nursing, Woodall earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1998. Her dedication to serving the nation as a military nurse has taken her to diverse locations, including active duty in South Korea and Iraq. Last year, she assumed the role of chief nursing officer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a testament to her leadership journey within the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and other esteemed organizations.
On this episode of "Behind the Blue," Col. Woodall shares her insights into how her experience at UK shaped her career and prepared her for the pivotal role she holds today at Walter Reed, the world's premier military medical center.
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For questions or comments about this or any other episode of "Behind the Blue," email BehindTheBlue@uky.edu or tweet your question with #BehindTheBlue. Transcripts for this or other episodes of Behind the Blue can be downloaded from the show’s blog page.
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