A retirement reception will be held Friday for Carol Pullen, Ed.D., former professor in the UNMC College of Nursing. The event will be held from 3-4:30 p.m. at the Center for Nursing Science’s third-floor atrium on the UNMC Omaha campus.
“We are tremendously grateful for Dr. Pullen’s longtime leadership in so many ways in the College of Nursing,” said Dean Juliann Sebastian, Ph.D. “She has led us forward in addressing rural health, the use of technology for distance learning and nursing research, and nursing research on rural health issues.”
During her career at UNMC, Dr. Pullen served as the director of the college’s Ph.D. program from 2017-2019. She was the assistant dean for rural nursing education from 1993-2003.
Dr. Pullen taught undergraduate psychiatric nursing, medical-surgical nursing, courses for licensed practical nurses and associate degree nurses working toward a bachelor’s of science in nursing, and community-based care for vulnerable populations in the UNMC Family Nurse Practitioner Program. She also taught grant application and management in the College of Nursing’s Ph.D. program.
“She is a stellar mentor for new researchers and doctoral students and always makes time to provide key insights and supports for those who are working with her,” Dr. Sebastian said. “The fact that she has worked consistently over many years with the same research team speaks to the team’s cohesion and Carol’s leadership and supportiveness of all who are part of that team. While we hate to see her leave, we are happy for her to have the new opportunities retirement brings, and we wish her all the very best.”
Dr. Pullen’s research expertise was in women’s health, with emphasis on healthy eating, activity and weight loss.
She participated in and held leadership roles in many state and national boards, including serving as co-chair of the National Rural Health Association’s membership committee in 2000-2001 and as the president of the Nebraska Rural Health Association in 1998-99.
Dr. Pullen joined UNMC in 1993. Her final day at the university was Dec. 31, 2019.
Carol — congratulations on your admirable career as a nurse educator and one of the nicest people I’ve ever known.
Carol, Congratulations!! Your work in rural health, rural nursing education and distance learning has been very impressive. I recall the many hours we spent together on rural focused committees in the 1990's and 2000's planning and learning from the group. You have been and remain a respected and trusted colleague. I wish you all the best. Mike
CAROL , congratulations on all of your great achievements. So happy you are joining the Retirement and The Fun Begins Club . Hope to see you in Bristol soon. Love to a beautiful person