June 30, 2015 — Louisville, Ky — Galen College of Nursing is proud to announce that Board of Directors Chair Kathryn Mershon, MSN, RN, CNAA, FAAN, has been named a 2015 Honorary Fellow to the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education. Mershon is among seven nurse educators named as honorary fellows, recognizing retired nurse educators or those in affiliated professions or public service who have made significant contributions to nursing education.
The National League for Nursing (NLN) established the Academy of Nursing Education in 2007 to foster excellence in nursing education by recognizing and capitalizing on the wisdom of outstanding nurse educators. Noted NLN CEO Beverly Malone, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, Fellows support the mission and core values of the NLN and assist in the work required to prepare graduates from all types of nursing programs. They serve as mentors and resources for new educators and those in clinical practice who hope to someday enter the ranks of nurse faculty.
Mershon has more than 25 years of experience as a senior health care executive. Her background blends early clinical nursing with corporate senior management experience. For 13 years, Mershon served as a senior officer of Humana and was responsible for developing the corporate strategy relating to the quality, consistency, and cost effectiveness of nursing practice While there, she was instrumental in the foundation and development of Galen Health Institutes which operated pre-licensure practical nursing schools in three states, serving as President until 1992.
“We are fortunate to have a nurse leader like Kathy guiding our efforts as we continue to evolve and build quality nursing education programs to support the healthcare needs of our country,” said Galen College of Nursing CEO, Mark Vogt. “She continues to be a steadfast force in nursing education with an unwavering eye to the commitment and quality it takes to advance the profession.”
Mershon has been actively engaged in health and community activities locally and nationally. She has been a board member of the NLN on three occasions, chair of the NLN Foundation for Nursing Education (NY), a member of the founding Board of Stewardship Trustees of Catholic Health Initiatives (Denver, CO), and a board member of Alegent Health (Omaha, NE), The Louisville Chamber of Commerce, Trinity High School (Louisville), and Hosparus (Louisville). In addition to chairing the Galen College of Nursing board of directors, she currently serves on the board of The Friedell Committee (Lexington, KY), and is a member of the Quality and Safety Committee of Kentucky One Health (Louisville).
Editors and reporters: For interview opportunities, please contact Director of Marketing Anna Kitson at 502.410.6215, akitson@galenstaging.mystagingwebsite.com.
Founded over 20 years ago, Galen College of Nursing is one of the largest private nursing schools in the United States. With a focus solely on nursing education, the College offers practical/vocational nursing (PN/VN), associate and online baccalaureate degree nursing programs to over 3,000 students on its campuses in Louisville, Ky., San Antonio, Texas, Tampa Bay, Fla., Cincinnati, Ohio, along with an Online Campus. Galen is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate degrees. For more information about Galen College of Nursing, visit galenstaging.mystagingwebsite.com.
