Sherry Holmes, who Helped Establish the Kentucky Children's Hospital, Retires from a Distinguished Career at UK
Sherry Holmes, MSN, RN, is retiring after spending 40 years in service at the University of Kentucky Albert B. Chandler Hospital and six years of service in the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.
Sherry received her BSN in nursing in 1972 and her MSN with a focus in parent-child nursing and nursing administration in 1982, both from the UK College of Nursing. She began her nursing career at UK in Obstetrics for two years while a nursing student and then six months as an RN before transferring to work in pediatrics, which would become the focus of her career.
During her time in pediatrics, the concept for the Kentucky Children’s Hospital was born and became a reality. Sherry was instrumental in the planning and implementation of this project, and it remains one of her great achievements.
In 1986, Sherry became the director of children’s services at the Kentucky Children's Hospital. She also served as director of maternal services for the UK HealthCare Birthing Center. Between these two facilities, she had a combined staff of 500 people. Sherry often voiced her pride in the nursing care given at the Kentucky Children's Hospital. In an article written a few years ago, Sherry was quoted as saying:
"I am so proud of the nurses and the fact that we consistently give outstanding care with excellent outcomes at our Kentucky Children's Hospital. We utilize a family centered care approach and really try to involve parents in the care. Parents notice and appreciate the care they get here and often comment about this being different from their experiences in other hospitals. I frequently meet people while out in the community who want me to know how wonderful the care their child or grandchild received was, and how appreciative they are that they were able to receive this care right at home. Often we receive letters about how wonderfully the nurses treated their child in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, and the acute care areas of the Children’s Hospital."
Sherry also voiced pride in the fact that both UK HealthCare and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital were among the first in the nation to receive Magnet Status.
During her time at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, Sherry published several articles about the care of children, including some that were a product of research in which she was involved. She has also presented at local, state and national conferences. Additionally, she became a surveyor for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing-Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, which accredits BSN and MSN nursing programs.
In 2010 Sherry came to the College of Nursing as a project director. In 2015, she was named the assistant dean for academic operations and assessment. One of her first major contributions was helping to organize and orchestrate the CCNE accreditation for the undergraduate and doctor of nursing practice programs. This resulted in full approval, and the self-study was described by the team leader as one of the best she had ever read. Since then, Sherry has made sure that our surveys and reports to CCNE, KBN and other external agencies are accurate, thorough and timely. She has also represented the College of Nursing at the University assessment level, making sure that we meet expectations for SACS. Other responsibilities included academic support for all programs, compliance with medical center, university, state and national requirements, assessment, annual reports and strategic planning, and special projects, among others.
Sherry has also been active in community service. Her work included serving on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald Charities, the BCTC Nursing Division Advisory Committee, the Downtown Health Mission Project, the Lexington-Fayette Health Dept. Bluegrass Health Promotion Committee, the KY State - Healthy Start Joint Task Force, and the Children’s Miracle Network. Professional Service includes multiple leadership positions in the ANA and KNA, the Kentucky Nursing Capacity Consortium Action Coalition, and Sigma Theta Tau. She served as president of the UK College of Nursing Alumni Association from 2013-2015.
Sherry has received many recognitions and honors during her career. She was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, and received two State Recognition Kentucky Nurses Day awards. Other awards included the Joy Edwards Hembree Oak Leaf Professional Award for Excellence in the Care of Children at Kentucky Children’s Hospital, the first Kentucky Children's Hospital Golden Stitches Award (which recognizes someone who has profoundly impacted the care of children), and the UK College of Nursing Alumni Award for Clinical Practice (which recognizes a graduate for excellent contributions to the clinical practice of nursing). She served on the President’s Commission on Women from 2005-2009. In 2010 Sherry was named at the College of Nursing’s 50th Anniversary as one of the 50 Alumni Recognized for Distinguished Contribution to Nursing Practice, and in 2013 she received the College of Nursing Employee of the Year Award.
According to Janie Heath, PhD, APRN-BC, FAAN, dean and Warwick Professor of Nursing, “It would be impossible to list all of Sherry’s accomplishments in her long and stellar nursing career. But, I can say unequivocally that her work has resulted in career development for nurses, outstanding education for nursing students, and better health outcomes for the children of Kentucky. For these things and so many others, we are profoundly grateful.”
