Dr. Ryan McKendrick, DNP, RN
Lecturer
Dr. Ryan McKendrick, DNP, RN, is a doctorally prepared registered nurse with clinical expertise in critical care, palliative care, and nursing education. He earned his Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Kentucky and his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Dr. McKendrick brings extensive experience in high-acuity hospital settings, having served in the Medicine and Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit at UK HealthCare, where he held roles including Registered Nurse, Unit Lead, and Charge Nurse. His clinical background spans complex patient management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and leadership in critical care environments. In addition to his bedside practice, he has contributed to the academic preparation of future nurses as a Clinical Nursing Instructor at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing.
His doctoral work focused on improving palliative care utilization in intensive care settings by identifying barriers to referral and enhancing staff knowledge, reflecting his commitment to patient-centered care and quality improvement. Dr. McKendrick maintains professional memberships in organizations including the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses and the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse-Midwives.
Through his clinical practice, education, and research initiatives, Dr. McKendrick is dedicated to advancing evidence-based practice, improving patient outcomes, and supporting the development of the nursing profession.
