Sally Knox

KNOX, Dr. Sally Following an extended illness, Sally died at her home in St. Petersburg, on Nov. 4, 2011. Though home-bound for the last few years, she continued to have a great desire for life and adapted to a "quality of life" in her home that marveled and inspired everyone. She grew up in Brazil, IN and began her nursing career at St. Anthony's Hospital for Nursing, Terre Haute, IN & subsequently received (as she loved to say) "three degrees from Indiana University" a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master's in Nursing and a PhD. Sally was passionate about health care and spent a life time in a variety of top leadership roles. Her significant professional career began on faculty at Indiana University College of Nursing and transitioned to the practice arena where at the young age of 30 was made Vice President of Nursing for Indiana University Medical Center and James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, a position she held for 15 years. Sally moved to Florida and forever after considered herself a "Floridian", to become Vice President of Nursing at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater. Later, as a faculty member at the University of Florida, Gainesville, she was head of the Nursing Administration Program. She then left academia to form a health care consulting firm and traveled extensively across the U.S. serving as interim Chief Nurse and consultant to large Academic Health Science Centers, such as Stanford University. Sally maintained her amazing intellectual curiosity to the end and her dignity and resilience were an inspiration to all. Survivors include a sister, Sue Vanitti, three nieces and Jan Gharrity and family. Sally's memorial will be held Dec. 27th at 11am, at St. Thomas' Episcopal Church, 1200 Snell Isle Bvld, St. Petersburg, FL, after which everyone is invited to lunch at Sally's home, 134 28th Avenue North. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial in Sally's name to: Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760.