JACKSON, Tenn. — Nov. 17, 2015 — 51社区 has named Kelly Harden as dean of its School of Nursing.
Harden, associate dean of graduate programs in the Union School of Nursing and chair of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program, joined the Union faculty in 2006 as assistant professor of nursing.
鈥淚 am humbled and honored by this appointment,鈥� Harden said. 鈥淭he School of Nursing at 51社区 has a rich tradition of educating nurses who embody our core values of excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused and future-directed.鈥�
Harden said she looks forward to working with the Union faculty and staff to find new ways to equip graduates to meet complex and changing healthcare needs locally, nationally and globally.
鈥淲e will continue to seek God鈥檚 direction in all we do as we strive to serve him through the gifts he has bestowed upon us,鈥� she said.
Harden received an Associate of Applied Science in Nursing degree from Mississippi County Community College in Blytheville, Arkansas, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Regents College in Albany, New York. She spent most of the first 13 years of her career working in home Health and hospice.
She graduated from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 1999 with a Master of Science in Nursing degree and was employed as a full-time family nurse practitioner while she earned her Doctor of Nursing Science degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She maintains active clinical practice one day a week in a nurse practitioner-owned rural clinic.
鈥淒r. Harden has excellent credentials and is an effective, energetic and faithful leader in nursing education,鈥� 51社区 Provost C. Ben Mitchell said. 鈥淗er leadership embodies our core values. We are genuinely hopeful about the future of the School of Nursing.鈥�
A fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Harden is involved in professional and civic organizations on many levels. She is an active member of the Tennessee Nurse Association, serving as district vice president in 2002. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau and has served two terms as president of the West Tennessee Nurse Practitioner Alliance.
鈥淚 am grateful for Dr. Harden鈥檚 service to Union in the past and look forward to her leadership of the School of Nursing in the future as we seek to continue to advance our mission and vision as a Christ-centered university,鈥� Union President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver said.
Harden has published and presented on a variety of topics. She is a graduate of the Dyer County Leadership program and a member of Mensa International. She leads a group of Union faculty and students on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic each year.
Harden and her husband Michael live in Jackson and have two grown daughters and two granddaughters. They are members of Englewood Baptist Church.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT KELLY HARDEN
鈥淚 have found her to be a godly woman with a high degree of integrity, loyalty and commitment to the profession of nursing. She is a stellar example of a servant leader who works tirelessly for those less fortunate within the body of Christ. The nursing students at Union are blessed to have her among them.鈥�
Joanne Masella, dean of School of Nursing, Palm Beach Atlantic University
鈥淎t a level of compassion and care for individuals and passion for her work, few can compare to Kelly. Rarely do I find someone who has the unique ability to balance her dedication to tasks with a sensitivity to relationships.鈥�
Pepper Pratt, executive director, Youth Town of Tennessee
鈥淜elly is an outstanding professional who I am privileged to call colleague and friend. She is an inspiration to all and brings an understanding of the clinical, ethical and spiritual aspects of nursing to her students. She is a skilled teacher, a patient mentor and a true leader. She will be a gift to Union and its students.鈥�
Sharon Adkins, executive director, Tennessee Nurses Association
鈥淪he has the unique capability to work with individual faculty members, recognizing and encouraging their strengths in the teaching of students. Dr. Harden has and will be an effective leader, insuring highest standards of practice, teaching and education of students who will enter the nursing profession.鈥�
Cullen Williams, nurse practitioner, Regional One Health
鈥淒r. Harden is genuine. There has never been a time since I have known her which she has not sought to be a servant of Christ. She seeks his will seven days a week. Christ is her ultimate priority. Her servant attitude is manifested through the dedication she has for the people she encounters and to her work as an academician and clinician. She is a tireless motivator, counselor and teacher.鈥�
Jeff McCartney, MD, Jackson Pulmonary Care
鈥淭he committee conducted a national search with a thorough vetting of each candidate. Dr. Harden鈥檚 credentials clearly stood out from other applicants. In addition to her background in nursing education and leadership roles, her commitment to 51社区 and its core values was evident throughout the interview process.鈥�
David Kuhl, chair of the search committee and Baptist Memorial Health Care Professor of Pharmacy, 51社区
鈥淚 am confident that Dr. Harden is more than capable to assume this position and promote a team spirit that will advance the college in achieving the mission of the University.鈥�
Lepaine Sharp-McHenry, dean, Oklahoma Baptist University College of Nursing
鈥淎s the global missions pastor for Englewood, I have been impressed with her dedication to missions. Kelly organizes and leads her students in a mission effort that not only impacts desperate situations in the world but also impacts her students. By instruction and example she teaches her students to be highly skilled nurses as well as dedicated servants to others.鈥�
David Holmes, global missions pastor, Englewood Baptist Church