Nursing Dean Gives First State of the College Address

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 14, 2015) – In her first State of the College address as dean of the University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Janie Heath told faculty and staff when people hear Kentucky in the days and weeks to come, they’ll think of nursing excellence as often as they do basketball. Citing an impressive list of College innovations and firsts in nursing, including the first doctorate (PhD) program in the region and the first Doctor of Nursing Program (DNP) in the nation, Heath said,  “It is time to start moving off of the #21 spot on US News & World Report’s rankings to the #10 spot for graduate nursing programs.  We have the right talent and it is the right time to make a significant impact in lives of Kentuckians and beyond."

In discussing her thoughts and plans for the future, Heath made reference to three key areas of focus for the journey to top 10: fiscal health, operational health and structural health. While each identified areas for improvement in processes, academic program growth and resource management, the opportunities were abundantly clear. “I have never been in an environment with so much academic nursing strength,” Heath said. “It will be a joy to see how we test new innovative models of education, expand our research portfolio, grow nursing faculty practice and ramp up our philanthropic efforts."

"That’s not to say the road will be easy,especially given today’s fiscal challenges. No doubt there will be some twists and turns. Unfortunately, there is no GPS that guarantees a way to success. We have to be nimble and ready to adjust and move forward as we learn together, refocus together and move forward together.”

Heath emphasized, “Although this is a general roadmap, not the tactics—my hope is to give you a sense about our direction and to assure you that my vision for the College is a shared vision, one that builds on the success and excellence of this College and all that it stands for.”

Heath said that as dean her overriding goal is to create healthy working and learning environments, build sustainable relationships, focus on measurable and reportable outcomes and ensure meaningful impact. “It will take all of us working together as partners to successfully achieve quality improvement processes at the College, advance nursing science and graduate more students that improve patient–family centered outcomes, implement care coordination and care transition and lower costs."

The College’s mission is solid and the partnerships and opportunities are there to move the needle on health and wellness inside and outside Kentucky," Heath said. “We must strengthen our communication efforts as an institution and as individuals to get the word out. We want everyone to know about our nursing excellence and the impact it’s having in the region, in the nation and around the world for education, research, practice and service.”

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu