College of Nursing Senior Administrator to Retire
It is bitter sweet to announce that after more than 18 years at the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing, Dr. Patricia Burkhart – Associate Dean of Undergraduate Faculty Affairs and pediatric nurse for 45 years, will be retiring June 30th, 2017.
Since her arrival to UK in 1999, Dr. Burkhart has championed a new era of undergraduate nursing education in the Commonwealth. From leadership with inter-professional education to doubling undergraduate enrollment to 100% NCLEX pass rates, Dr. Burkhart’s achievements to advance the nursing workforce in Kentucky and beyond will continue to have a lasting impact long after she retires.
Since my arrival to UK in 2014, I have had the great fortune to observe her leadership as a pioneer sparking energy and imagination among her dedicated undergraduate faculty. To observe her be a guardian to sustain the standards of high quality BSN education. To be a driver to generate momentum and tackle higher education challenges and get the job done armed with knowledge and enthusiasm. To be an integrator for pulling teams together to advance inter-professional education and build a community of scholars and leaders.
In the days and weeks to come, I will be sharing plans on next steps for academic leadership for Undergraduate Faculty Affairs and announcing the date to celebrate Dr. Burkhart’s retirement. In the meantime, please join me in wishing her and her husband Terry the best and brightest retirement days ever doing what they love and cherish the most à time with their family!
On behalf of our community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and colleagues across the University and the UK clinical enterprise, we thank you for 18 years of outstanding UKCON contributions and service as an extraordinary leader and partner on the senior administration team!
