Luther Parmalee CHRISTMAN

CHRISTMAN, Luther ParmaleeAge 96 of Chapel Hill, TN. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Mary Black Christman, who died in 2003, and by a granddaughter, Mary Lee Christman. Dr. Christman's pioneering and enduring legacy in the profession of nursing passed into history at Vanderbilt University Hospital on June 7, 2011. Dr. Christman was a tireless and articulate advocate for nurses and nursing throughout his career, and eventually, rose to the highest peaks of his profession. He served as an inspirational role model for male nurses in a career choice with few men at the beginning of his career. His influence helped open the field to men who were interested in nursing as an occupation. Dr. Christman was the first male dean of a school of nursing in the country, and served in various capacities from a psychiatric hospital floor nurse to Dean of Nursing at several major American universities. They included Univ. of Michigan and Michigan State, Vanderbilt and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, where he was its Vice President, as well as Dean. His outspoken views on the field of nursing were enlightening and influential, not only in America, but all over the world. He lectured in Turkey, Japan and Sweden, among other places. Dr. Christman was a fellow of the Academy of Nursing, and was considered an innovator of new models for nursing practice and training regimens. He favored baccalaureate and graduate education for nurses, primary care, nurse autonomy in practice, and clinical expertise and accountability. In 2004, he was inducted into the American Nurses Association's Hall of Fame. In 2007, the American Nurses Assn. began awarding a Luther Christman award to those who have furthered the cause of men in nursing. Dr. Christman is survived by daughters, Judi Kinney and husband Tom Kinney, McFarland, WI, Lillian Christman and husband Hank Blakely, Reston, VA; son, Gary Christman; grandchildren, Kelly Kinney and friend, Darren Feller, Lindsey Kinney and husband Seth Hartwick, Nicholas Blakely; great-grandchildren, Bruce Paul Kinney Hartwick and Crystal Powell; four great-great-grandchildren; caregivers, Cindy Burkett, Rhonda Dalton West, Margie Cheek, Sandy Shultz, Brittney Dalton, Annie Kelley, Megan Quann and Markela Cashion. Visitation will be Thursday, June 9, 2011 from 4 until 8 p.m., at Lawrence Funeral Home. A Celebration of the Life of Mr. Christman will be conducted at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 10, 2011 from the chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home, with Ed Halloran speaking. Burial will follow in Swanson Cemetery in Chapel Hill. Memorial Donations may be made to the Monroe Carrell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt or a charity of your choice. LAWRENCE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES, Chapel Hill, TN (931) 364-2233. www.lawrencefuneral.net