She’s lived her mother’s dream of being a nurse. Though Peggy Pelish, PhD, wanted to be teacher, she was able to pursue both professions in academic nursing.
"My mother told her four daughters how she wanted to be a nurse, but her parents told her in 1945 that they could not afford to send her to nursing school," said Dr. Pelish, an associate professor and pediatric nurse practitioner in the UNMC College of Nursing. "I had wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She was wise in helping me to see that I would be able to combine nursing and teaching."
She earned an associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from UNMC, then a PhD from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In 1979, she took a position as an assistant instructor in the UNMC College of Nursing.
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| Peggy Pelish, PhD |
Dr. Pelish will retire from her full-time faculty position in mid-May with a long CV and many memories.
"During my first nursing degree program, we were eligible for assistant nurse positions. I started working in 1974 at the Hattie B. Munroe Pavilion, where the children lived while attending J.P. Lord School. On May 6, 1975, during the major Omaha tornado, we had to move the children in another room for safety, and they received their dessert ice cream bars early to reduce their fears," she said.
Thinking about her career in academic nursing, Dr. Pelish said she’s privileged to have worked in a supportive environment where changes happen all the time, with mentors to help with the changes.
"Telling someone that you work at UNMC leads to a recognition that you are helping to change health care. I have also been encouraged to continue my service in nursing as a pediatric nurse practitioner while in a faculty role.
"I am proud to have been part of the nursing educational progress that has led to more recognition of the pediatric population and the needs of families," said Dr. Pelish, who also worked at the Children’s Physicians at UNMC and the UNMC Center for Human Nutrition.
She is proud of her involvement as a co-investigator of a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to create a program at UNMC that ultimately paved the way for regional academic programs for pediatric, neonatal and women’s advanced practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners). The program has changed the graduate education of nurses both regionally and nationally, she said.
Like most nurse faculty, she said the best part of her career has been the time spent with students.
As she steps back, she plans to find time to volunteer in pediatric areas, spend more time with family, renew the many hobbies that had to wait, travel more and connect with friends.
Congratulations Peggy! You are such a wonderful nurse and teacher and have touched so many lives! And you're also a wonderful person, who is always friendly and respectful to your co-workers (including me). I feel so lucky to have been able to interact with you, and wish you only the best in pursuing a bit more relaxed volunteer time, family time, friend time and enjoying some delayed hobbies. You are just such a great all-round person! Thank you for all you have done!
Peggy – Congratulations on a long wonderful career in which you were able to touch so many lives of students, children and families. You will be missed very much at UNMC College of Nursing! Terri Mathews
Congratulations, Dr. Pelish! I've enjoyed working with you over the years and wish you the very best in your retirement!
Sooo happy for you Peggy. So glad you have plans to keep volunteering. Your calm way with parents is pretty incredible…even the little bit of asking how my son was doing as he has grown up makes you feel like maybe you aren't doing too bad as a parent (and your awesome knitting skills). Good luck, and enjoy.
Peggy! Not sure if you remember but you were one of my first clinical instructors in 1980! Boy how time flies. Thanks for your years of service to the CON and best wishes in retirement! ENJOY!!
Congratulations, Dr. Pelish!
Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your long and dedicated services to our community. Best wishes,
Nizar Mamdani
Dr. Pelish it has been a pleasure to have you as an instructor and to work with you as a preceptor to your students. Enjoy all of your next adventures!
Congratulations Peggy!! Love your enthusiasm for your nursing career! Have some fun in retirement!
I will never forget our lunch when I interviewed for a faculty position at UNMC, or how you encouraged me to pursue my dream of being an NP post-PhD. You have been such a tremendous resource for all questions related to curriculum and student affairs and "why do we do ___ this way" and "what have we tried before?" I am amazed by your knitting skills including making a "minion" hat for my baby shower! You will be greatly missed by colleagues and students alike. Best wishes for retirement!
Congratulations. Enjoy this stepping back
Congratulations Peggy! So happy for you! Thank you for everything
Congratulations Peggy. Enjoy your retirement.
Congratulations, Peggy…it has been so lovely knowing you as your student and then as a colleague…but also as a fellow mother of sons! I hope retirement is all you hope it to be…and that we continue to intersect.
Congratulations to you Peggy! I am excited for you as you enter this next adventure. You have been an asset to the UNMC Children's Pediatric clinic for many years and your skill, kindness, caring and dedication to both your patients and teaching will be missed by all of us in General Pediatrics.
Congratulations Dr. Pelish! Thank you for all that you have done for nursing education, pediatrics, and for me and my DNP group members. Your hard work is greatly appreciated!
Dr. Pelish, Congratulation on your retirement! Enjoy your retirement to the fullest and complete all items in your Bucket List. It was a pleasure working with you.
Congratulations Peggy! It was an honor to work with you, especially on the grant to establish the importance of distance educational programs offered by online technology in our focus on maternal and pediatric advanced practice nursing roles. Enjoy your retirement and focus on all those items that you set aside. Look forward to maintaining our friendship.
Peggy wonderful news! Be in touch.
Mary K Smid
Congratulations, Peggy.
Congratulations on your retirement and rewarding career. It's been a real pleasure to know you and we've had a lot of common bonds. Cheers to your future endeavors. Good Luck Peggy, enjoy.