Karlene Kerfoot

Austin -

The profession of nursing is mourning the passing of Dr. Karlene Kerfoot, a true icon whose leadership, mentorship, research, and influence have been a force in healthcare for decades.

Born on a farm in Newton, Iowa in 1942, Dr. Kerfoot received her BSN and MSN from the University of Iowa College of Nursing and her PhD in Nursing from the University of Illinois.

An expert in psychiatric nursing, Dr. Kerfoot led nursing at the University of Iowa psychiatric facility where she met her husband Bill when he was a psychiatric tech. They were married for 55 years. Future positions included Chief Nursing Officer at St. Luke's Medical Center and Memorial Hermann Healthcare in Houston, Chief Nurse Executive at Clarian Health in Indianapolis (now known as Indiana University Health) and at Aurora Health based in Milwaukee.

Dr. Kerfoot transitioned to industry where she influenced the provision of safe staffing with the use of technology. At the time of her passing, she was the Chief Nursing Officer of technology leader symplr.

Her roles in nursing, however, do not come close to describing her impact on everyone she encountered. Noted for her warmth, compassion, and genuine interest in everyone she met, to know her was to be blessed, to be wiser because of her and to know one's value, as she reflected it back to you. She was beloved as a boss, a mentor and a friend.

Among her many volunteer activities, Dr. Kerfoot served on the editorial board of the journal Nursing Economic$. She was an active member of the Board of Directors of The DAISY Foundation that honors extraordinary compassionate nurses internationally. With the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, she co-created the Leadership, Innovation, and Technology Transformation Committee, a coalition of nursing informatics experts and technology advocates.

Dr. Kerfoot was a wonderful and deeply loved wife, mother, and grandmother. In addition to her husband Bill, she is survived by her son Kris, daughter-in-law Cara, and grandchildren Carter, Michelle, Wilson, and Kane.

The Karlene Kerfoot Grant for Nurses in Technology is being established. Donations to this fund may be sent to The DAISY Foundation (PO Box 2216, Anacortes, WA 98221).