Dr. Deb Jennings Appointed Regional Dean for Galen College of Nursing

Dr. Deb Jennings has been appointed Regional Dean for Galen College of Nursing. Dr. Jennings earned her BSN, MSN, and DNP from Chamberlain College of Nursing.  She is a professional nurse with vast experience in clinical practice, nursing education, and nursing leadership. Dr. Jennings is passionate about student success, and team building, along with setting goals that support the overall growth and development of the organization. She fosters a culture that allows for collaboration through open and transparent communication.

In 2011, Dr. Jennings transitioned to academia at her alma mater, Chamberlain College of Nursing where she held various leadership roles.  In 2020, Dr. Jennings was appointed Dean of Nursing for South College where she oversaw LPN, BSN, MSN, and DNP programs. Under her leadership, the NCLEX scores and student retention significantly increased.  She has successfully developed nurse educators, nurse leaders, and collaborative teams.

Welcome our new Roanoke Campus Associate Dean, Dr. Kimberly Brown

Dr. Kimberly Brown was appointed Associate Dean of Nursing for the Roanoke, VA campus in December 2022. Dr. Brown earned an Associate Degree (ADN – 1992), a Bachelor’s Degree (BSN – 1998), and Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN – 2008) from Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, Virginia. More recently, Dr. Brown earned a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in 2012 from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. As a registered nurse for 30 years, Dr. Brown is an experienced academic nurse leader and a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE). Dr. Brown’s clinical practice included the adult acute care areas of endocrinology, neurology, and post-surgical care, as well as community-based services. She held operational leadership roles in a level-one trauma center.

In 2010 Dr. Brown formally transitioned to academia at her alma mater, Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, VA. Before joining Galen College of Nursing, Dr. Brown served as nursing faculty at Liberty University, James Madison University, and Radford University. Dr. Brown is the founding chair of the Division of Nursing at Ferrum College in Ferrum, VA. Her professional service roles include the Commission on Nursing Education and Academic Practice Partnership Council for the Virginia Nurses Association. Specialized skillsets developed over the last decade include curriculum development, faculty mentoring, graduate nurse executive education, and new program launch.

“Nursing is my first love and has given my life so much meaning. It is my honor to use my life and skills to assist others in the pursuit of their calling.” -Dr. Kimberly Brown

Dr. Kimberly’s favorite quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”

Galen Welcomes Cathryn Johnson Rolfe as Chief Operating Officer

Galen College of Nursing has announced Cathryn Johnson Rolfe as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Rolfe will be the first COO for the 30-year-old College, which is part of the HCA Healthcare family and solely focused on nursing education.

“As we expand access to nursing education, we will expand our leadership capabilities to meet the needs of future nurses and the communities we serve. The addition of an accomplished leader such as Cathryn Rolfe will help us do just that,” said Mark Vogt, CEO of Galen. “With her distinguished background and vast experience, Cathryn will be instrumental in helping guide Galen successfully into the future. We are proud to welcome her to the family.”

Prior to arriving at Galen, Rolfe served as Chief Operating Officer of the HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education service line, helping to build the largest physician residency training system in the U.S. Previously Associate General Counsel for Vanderbilt University and then Chief Business Officer for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Office of Health Sciences Education, Rolfe oversaw finances and operations of the School of Medicine’s Undergraduate Medical Education, Graduate Medical Education activities, in addition to the Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment.

“I am excited to join Mark Vogt and Galen College of Nursing in their mission to expand access to quality nursing education and help address the national nursing shortage that is impacting all of healthcare,” stated Rolfe. “Galen’s evolution in the last few years is equally exciting and challenging. I am thrilled to bring my experience and expertise to help Galen navigate these impending waters and look forward to help build the pipeline of the next generation of great nurses.”

Galen College of Nursing Celebrates Contributions of Co-Founder Kathryn Mershon As She Steps Down As Board Chair

Galen College of Nursing recently announced several changes to its Board of Directors, most notably, after 16 years of dedicated service excellence, co-founder Kathryn Mershon, MSN, RN, CNAA, FAAN, stepping down as Chair. Along with Humana Co-Founders David Jones and Wendell Cherry, Mershon was instrumental in the foundation and development of Galen Health Institutes in 1994, which operated prelicensure practical nursing programs in three states and eventually became Galen College of Nursing in 2005. As Mershon steps down from this role, Galen College of Nursing celebrates her commitment and many contributions to the college and mission. She will continue to serve as a board member.

“The impact Kathy has had on our institution is immeasurable. We have been honored to have a nurse leader like Kathy guiding the way as we evolved into one of the largest nursing colleges in the country. Through her leadership as Board of Director Chair for over 16 years, she has helped us build nursing education programs that set the standard for quality,” said Galen College of Nursing CEO, Mark Vogt. “We are so grateful for her service as Chair and we thank her for her passion, dedication, and leadership. But this isn’t goodbye. Kathy will continue to serve as a Board member and continue to help Galen expand our standard of excellence.”

Galen College of Nursing has also announced Fran Roberts, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, will now serve as Chair. A board member since 2015, Roberts has provided invaluable guidance, insight, and thought leadership to the College. Robert’s distinguished career includes her tenure as President and CEO of the Fran Roberts Group, a consulting practice providing expertise on healthcare leadership and higher education. Previously, Dr. Roberts served as the Vice President for Strategic Alliances for the DeVry Healthcare Group. In addition, she was with Grand Canyon University from 2004 to 2010, where she began as Dean of the College of Nursing and was subsequently appointed Vice President of Strategic Business Alliances for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

“We couldn’t be more excited to announce Fran’s tenure as our Board Chair.” Mark Vogt stated. “Since she joined us in 2015, Fran has demonstrated an incredible passion for nursing education. Her dedication to the profession and Galen’s mission has been inspirational and we are honored to have her serve in this new leadership role.”

In addition, Dr. Sammie Mosier and Dr. Janice Brewington have been announced as new members of Galen’s Board of Directors. Effective immediately, Dr. Brewington and Dr. Mosier join the College amid unprecedented growth and expansion. In the last 12-months, Galen has added campus locations in Austin, TX; Nashville, TN; Myrtle Beach, SC; Richmond, VA; and Gainesville and Sarasota, FL.

Sammie Mosier, DHA, MA, BSN, BE-BC, is senior vice president and chief nursing executive for Nashville, Tennessee-based HCA Healthcare, Galen College of Nursing’s parent company, and one of the nation’s leading providers of healthcare services. Dr. Mosier leads a team of nurse executives at the regional and facility level, and approximately 93,000 registered nurses working in HCA Healthcare hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and other sites of care.

“Dr. Mosier has a long history of working with Galen College of Nursing leadership, and we are grateful she brings her vast experience to our board.,” noted Mark Vogt. “Throughout her career, Dr. Mosier has been a passionate advocate for nurses, while driving clinical excellence and professional development. As a new board member, her powerful experience and influence will be felt in every facet of our institution. I cannot think of a better fit for Galen’s board of directors than Dr. Mosier.”

“We live in a historic time in the history of nursing education, with daunting challenges ahead. I believe Galen College of Nursing and HCA Healthcare is in a unique position to take on these challenges head-on to help support the nursing workforce for decades to come,” exclaimed Dr. Mosier. “I am thrilled to join my friends and colleagues on Galen’s board of directors to help raise the standard of care with well-prepared, confident future nurses.”

Janice Brewington, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, will be joining the board. She is currently the National League of Nursing (NLN) chief program officer and director of the League’s Center for Transformational Leadership. Dr. Brewington previously served as senior director and as a consultant for the NLN.

“Dr. Brewington is a leader and scholar in the nursing field, and we proudly welcome her to our board of directors,” said Mark Vogt, chief executive officer of Galen. “As a College, we are on the precipice of unprecedented expansion to access to nursing education in the United States, and Dr. Brewington will be a vital part of Galen’s ability to scale and evolve our best-in-class nursing education. We welcome Dr. Brewington to our Board of Directors with open arms.”

“I am honored to join the board of directors at this exciting juncture of Galen’s evolution and growing impact on the nursing field,” Dr. Brewington said. “I believe my experience perfectly dovetails with Galen’s mission and look forward to helping augment and enhance Galen’s high-quality standards for tomorrow’s nurses.”

Dr. Audria Denker Inducted Into The 2021 AADN Class Of Fellows

Congratulations to our own Executive Vice President of Nursing, Audria Denker, DNP, RN, for her induction into the Academy of Associate Degree Nursing (AADN) in November of 2021. The AADN was established to recognize those individuals who model exemplary dedication to associate degree nursing education and practice, and who have worked as change agents to advance health and education through associate degree nursing. Academy members are those actively engaged in associate degree nursing education or practice, with proven records of excellence in their institutions and a demonstrated commitment to the health of their communities.

“I am thankful and humbled to be among some of the best nurse educators in the country here at Galen,” exclaimed Dr. Denker. The honorary academy fellowship recognizes those individuals who have worked to transform health and education through associate degree nursing throughout the breadth of their careers. Honorary fellows have worked in education and practice, as well as other fields such as advocacy and service.

In the Fall of 2021, Dr. Denker was also elected as Director Southeast Region by the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) for a two-year term. In addition, Dr. Denker has been appointed as an alternate member for a three-year term to the NCLEX® Examination Committee by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Board of Directors beginning on October 1, 2021.

After several decades of experience in clinical practice and healthcare management, Dr. Denker joined Galen College of Nursing in 2005. As Executive Vice President of Nursing, she is responsible for day-to-day program operations, staffing and workload, clinical operations, simulation, and student support; as well as additional academic responsibilities for campus expansions in partnership with Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA). During her tenure as EVP, all prelicensure RN programs obtained ACEN programmatic accreditation and all program pass rates have exceeded state and national averages.

Dr. Denker is an active leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations and holds a Kentucky Governor-appointed position on the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Board of Nursing since 2018. Dr. Denker received the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Pikeville (Kentucky) College (now the University of Pikeville), and the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Bellarmine University in Louisville.

Dr. Audria Denker Elected to OADN Board of Directors

Please join us in congratulating Dr. Audria Denker, DNP, RN  for her election as Director Southeast Region by the Organization of Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) for a two-year term.

OADN serves as the national advocate for the over 1,200 associate degree nursing programs across the country with the focus to advance excellence in nursing education and community college pathways into registered nursing careers. OADN is the only organization that advocates for associate degree nursing at the national level by using a collective voice to continue delivering opportunities for nurse educators, as faculty and leaders. Dr. Denker’s responsibilities as Director Southeast Region include the development and implementation of OADN’s strategic plan, and serving as a board liaison to southeast US healthcare communities and workgroups, and OADN member nursing programs.

In addition to her appointment with OADN, Dr. Denker has been appointed as an alternate member for a three-year term to the NCLEX® Examination Committee by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) Board of Directors beginning on October 1, 2021.  The responsibilities related to this appointment include advising the Board of Directors on matters related to the NCLEX® examination process, including examination item development, security, administration, and quality assurance to ensure consistency with the Member Board’s need for examinations, and develop NCLEX® prototype items that use technology-enhanced item types focused on measuring clinical decision making/judgment.

Dr. Denker joined Galen College of Nursing in 2005 after several decades of experience in clinical practice and healthcare management. She currently serves as Executive Vice President of Nursing (EVP). In her current position, she is responsible for day-to-day program operations, staffing and workload, clinical operations, simulation, and student support; as well as additional academic responsibilities for campus expansions in partnership with Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA). During her tenure as EVP, all prelicensure RN programs obtained ACEN programmatic accreditation and all program pass rates have exceeded state and national averages.

Dr. Denker is an active leader in numerous civic and charitable organizations and holds a Kentucky Governor-appointed position on the Executive Committee of the Kentucky Board of Nursing since 2018. Dr. Denker received the Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Pikeville (Kentucky) College (now the University of Pikeville), and the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Bellarmine University in Louisville.