Kathy Rideout Receives Health Care Achievement Award

Kathy Rideout, EdD, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, was recognized with a 2018 Rochester Business Journal Health Care Achievement Award for her more than 40 years of contributions as a pediatric nurse, educator, administrator, executive, advocate, researcher, and mentor.

As dean of the University of Rochester School of Nursing, she leads one of the most highly respected nursing schools in the country, shaping the next generation of rigorously educated nurses, health care leaders, and scientists. She also remains committed to practicing as a pediatric advance practice nurse at Golisano Children’s Hospital and is vice president of the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Among the many accomplishments of Rideout’s tenure as dean at the School of Nursing:

The creation and expansion of the Center for Employee Wellness (CEW). Opened in 2013, the CEW partnered with the University of Rochester to provide wellness programming for all university employees. Operated out of the School of Nursing, the program has since secured contracts with 32 regional employers, serving more than 37,000 lives across seven counties, providing the school with a significant revenue source and opportunities for continued growth.

Adopted bold curriculum changes while maintaining academic excellence. The school has developed new programs in nursing education and care management in response to an evolving health care environment and has continued its rise in the influential US News and World Report rankings. UR Nursing is the only NY school outside of NYC to be ranked among the top 50 for its master’s and DNP programs.

A renewed emphasis on research and attracting federal research dollars. The school has bolstered its roster of faculty researchers, adding five new hires – including a new associate dean for research – in a period of acute national faculty shortages. As a result, the school now attracts approximately $2 million in funding annually from the National Institutes of Health, rocketing the school into a top 20 ranking of all nursing schools nationally.

Integrated diversity and inclusiveness into the culture of school. Recognizing the increasing importance of a diverse and inclusive health care workforce, Rideout has made a commitment to promoting tolerance and better understanding of differing backgrounds and cultures a primary focus of her work. Under her leadership, the school’s Council on Diversity and Inclusiveness became the first council of faculty, staff, and students to have its own designated budget. She played a key role in attracting Robert Wood Johnson New Careers in Nursing Scholarship to support students who are underrepresented in nursing (including men). UR Nursing was one of only five schools in the country to receive all seven years of the program’s funding, totaling nearly $1 million in scholarship support. When the program ended, she directed additional funds from the school to maintain the program and build a pipeline of students into graduate work and careers in education.

As a member of URMC’s senior leadership team, Rideout plays an influential role in the strategic direction of the Medical Center as it adapts to a rapidly changing health care system. She sits on a number of the Medical Center committees and councils, as well as serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet and other University councils and committees.

Nationally, Rideout is a member of the influential Dean’s Health Policy Coalition, a group of seven deans from prestigious schools of nursing formed to address issues in health care research and reform. She was coalition co-chair in 2014 and chair in 2015. She is also a member of the government affairs committee for the American Association for Colleges of Nursing, helping to advocate for the profession at the national level.

The RBJ’s Health Care Achievement Awards recognize individuals and groups who are nominated by their colleagues, supervisors, and patients for significant achievements in health care. Honorees are selected in eight categories: behavioral health, health care staff, innovation, management, nurse, physician, senior care, and volunteer.

The 26 award recipients were honored during a luncheon March 23 at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.