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Ada Lindsey, Ph.D., dean of the UNMC College of Nursing; with Carol Wilson, left, a former associate director of University Hospital and director of nursing service; and Rosalee Yeaworth, Ph.D., right, who preceded Dr. Lindsey as UNMC’s College of Nursing dean. |
Dr. Lindsey is culminating 44 years in nursing, most of which has been spent in education. She is noted for her integrity, calmness in the face of adversity, willingness to listen, promotion of the interests of others, fairness and focus on quality.
Pursuing nursing education
The decision to pursue nursing education came after Dr. Lindsey completed her bachelor’s degree. She received a stipend to attend graduate school during which she studied and worked in general medical/surgical nursing. She found she enjoyed teaching in the clinical setting.
At the time, nursing students worked up to 30 hours a week in the hospital including weekends, evenings and holidays. At that time, the hospital paid for nursing uniforms, room and board and tuition.
“We worked so many hours back then,” Dr. Lindsey said. “It was hard to find time for classes and time to study and complete assignments.”
Rewarding career
Seeing students and faculty develop are among the rewards of her career. “I’ve really enjoyed more opportunities being a faculty member in nursing than working in other capacities for example, participating in professional organizations service on research and other committees,” she said.
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Ada Lindsey, Ph.D., enjoys the recent retirement dinner in her honor. |
Her career highlights include writing and receiving funding for a large five-year special project grant, earning her doctoral degree, helping develop international education exchange programs, working with others to develop the doctoral programs in nursing proposal at the University of Maryland and later contributed to developing the Ph.D. program at USCF.
“Each time it’s been something new and different,” she said. “It’s been a long and very happy career. I’ve been really privileged. I’ve certainly gained as much as I’ve given.”
Impacting others
The impact she’s had on the lives of students, faculty and the field of nursing in the United States and abroad is immeasurable.
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Barb Piper, Ph.D., presents Ada Lindsey, Ph.D., with a retirement gift from one of Dr. Lindsey’s first employers, Mt. Carmel School of Nursing in Columbus, Ohio, where she served as assistant director. |
Although she was at the helm during many victories, in true form, Dr. Lindsey credited the work of others. “You wouldn’t be in this position if there weren’t a lot of people doing a lot of work,” she said.
UNMC accomplishments
During her tenure at UNMC, appointment opportunities for associate professors and professors grew and more faculty members achieved 12-month appointments. Two endowed chairs — the Dorothy Hodges Olson Chair and the Charlotte Peck Leinemann and Alumni Distinguished Chair in Nursing — were created through major gifts.
“Dr. Lindsey has been a strong leader in the development of innovative programs that have attracted national attention to the college,” said Harold M. Maurer, M.D., UNMC chancellor. “She has increased the number of nursing students to address the workforce shortage using a variety of techniques including distance education. The college’s research awards from the NIH have placed it among the highest in the nation. Her calm, soft-spoken approach has been highly effective in promoting change to benefit Nebraska and beyond.”
With the support of colleagues and friends, the Ada M. Lindsey Professional Service Award will be presented to a faculty member each year. Kathryn Fiandt, D.N.Sc., associate professor of nursing, received the first award this year.
The undergraduate and graduate programs have grown and there’s been a marked increase of distributive education programs, both on the Internet and with the use of other technologies including satellite. Nebraska students are enrolled in the programs as well as students across the country and internationally.
Dr. Crouse: “Her absence…will be noticed”
“It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Lindsey and gain a better appreciation of the management of a very complex college,” said David Crouse, Ph.D., interim vice chancellor for academic affairs and interim dean for graduate studies. “Dr. Lindsey has facilitated the building of the research, educational and outreach programs of the College of Nursing in a remarkable manner.
“The College of Nursing is nationally recognized for its contributions to graduate studies in nursing and their innovative approaches to distance education for working health professionals,” Dr. Crouse said. “In many cases their current programs can be a model for others at UNMC or throughout the nation. Her absence from the UNMC community truly will be noticed.”
Improved research ranking
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Andy Ryba, University of Nebraska Foundation, presents Ada Lindsey, Ph.D., with a gift from the foundation. |
World reputation for distance education
“Dr. Lindsey is a fine leader who promoted the college’s movement to national prominence in nursing research and a world reputation for distance education for nurses,” said Gloria Gross, Ph.D. assistant dean, UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division, who was one of three assistant deans who served under Dr. Lindsey. “The Osteoporosis Prevention and Treatment in Breast Cancer Survivors study was her brainchild several years ago.
“The pilot study and then the funding for the major study from the NIH followed with her steady guiding hand. It’s been a joy to serve as an assistant dean under her guidance.”
Remarkable career
Considered a leader in the nursing education profession, the majority of Dr. Lindsey’s career includes faculty positions at Mt. Carmel School of Nursing, the University of Maryland, the University of California San Francisco, University of California, Los Angeles, and UNMC.
She has authored 54 articles, 36 published research abstracts, 59 book chapters and 3 books, in addition to making numerous presentations to local, regional, national and international audiences. She has served on the editorial boards of four professional nursing journals. In recognition of her accomplishments she was elected a fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
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The couple plans to spend more time traveling, reading and swimming. They also enjoy photography, walks on the beach and attending concerts. They have a trip to Belize planned later this year. |
Keys to success
“One of my mentors along the way always reminded me how an administrator knows he or she has been successful,” said Bill Berndt, Ph.D., interim chair, UNMC department of pharmacology and professor of pharmacology. “Very simple. If the institution is better after you’ve been there, then it was when you arrived, you’ve been successful. Obviously, this fits Ada. Clearly, she has given Dr. (Virginia) Tilden an impressive platform on which to build.”
Looking back
Dr. Lindsey said the retirement dinner was a celebration and an honor. “Seeing and feeling the support of so many of my colleagues and friends of the college will provide me with warm and significant memories of my work at UNMC,” she said. “Talking that evening with many faculty, staff, and friends was less sad and more joyous than I had expected, thanks to all those involved. I think especially because I did not also have to say good-bye, just yet — as I now have a couple more months serving as dean.
“Although I clearly am looking forward to retirement, it is with considerable sadness that I am saying good-bye because I care very much about all my work associates, the college, and UNMC, and will miss all those connections.”