Every women in a leadership role should be thinking of sustainability by mentoring others within their organization. If you are not in a leadership role, consider reaching out to an executive and ask for advice. Consider Leadership Louisville as a foundation for networking and learning about the city.
Sonya R. Hardin PhD RN NP-C FAAN, Dean of the University of Louisville School of Nursing
HEN is proud to celebrate Women’s History Month by highlighting a healthcare leader in our region who has positively influenced and enriched our community. The Women’s History Month 2022 theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.
We talked to Sonya R. Hardin PhD RN NP-C FAAN, Dean of the University of Louisville School of Nursing, about projects she’s most excited about, her proudest accomplishment and advice she has for young women starting out in the healthcare industry. Highlights are below.
What do you do on a daily basis at UofL School of Nursing?
The role of a dean involves managing personnel and students while also being a liaison with senior management. Articulating a vison for the School of Nursing that is in alignment with the University through the support of faculty and staff is a key role. A Deans position is sandwiched between upper administration that wants me to help explain university decisions while advocating for the needs of faculty staff and students. There is a balance that must occur. Most days are spent with 9-10 hours of meetings a day with another 1-2 hours a day reviewing emails. Areas that I am involved in included: management, coordination, mentorship, communications, budgets, personnel, policy, procedures, and fundraising. Coordination is both internal, in terms of consistency with policies and procedures, and external in terms of managing requests.
What initiatives are you most proud of at the School of Nursing?
The School of Nursing is raising funds for renovation of classroom space, student areas and expansion into the first floor of the building. We are addressing workforce issues by adding an accelerated 4 semester program for those already holding a baccalaureate degree. This 4-semester program will help individuals change careers to nursing. On the horizon is a new program in nurse anesthesia. This 3-year degree will result in a DNP Doctor I Nursing Practice with a focus in anesthesia.
The theme for 2022 is “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” How does your team at the School of Nursing work to provide healing and hope to the people in our community?
Our School of Nursing engages students across our community by helping to provide healthcare. Some of the initiatives include working with Central High School, Portland Elementary School and delivering healthcare in a variety of settings. We collaborate with the Central High School Magnet program to enhance academic success and develop a pipeline into professional health careers at UofL. Undergraduate nursing students in the community health class conducted vision screenings for students in Portland Elementary School for 3rd grade and delivers health education. Our nursing students assess factors affecting health of individuals, families, and communities from a holistic nursing perspective, identifying implications for multidimensional health.
One of the most noteworthy collaborations is the Nurse Practitioner managed clinic called the Kentucky Racing Health Services Center (KRHSC) located one block from Church Hill Downs. Our faculty provide healthcare to individuals that work at the track such as assistant trainers, grooms, hot walkers and stable workers. The clinics mission is to provide the full spectrum of primary care to these workers and their families, including primary and secondary prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and asthma. KRHSC has improved access to quality care by serving 1500-1800 patients a year who, without the clinic, would either turn to the emergency room for intermittent care or forgo care altogether.
Advice for other women who want to excel in the healthcare industry?
Continue your education. Take one course a semester or go full time. Obtain advanced degrees that will prepare you for the everchanging landscape. Learn how to work in a matrix reporting structure and always manage from an enterprise mindset.
Who inspires you?
I take inspiration from the writings of Colin Powell. Colin Powell wrote My American Journey (1995, written with Joseph E. Persico) and It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership (2012, written with Tony Koltz). His 13 Principles of leadership are laminated and taped to my computer monitor. Principe 13 is “perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”
How can Louisville continue to empower and develop women leaders?
Every women in a leadership role should be thinking of sustainability by mentoring others within their organization. If you are not in a leadership role, consider reaching out to an executive and ask for advice. Consider Leadership Louisville as a foundation for networking and learning about the city.
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