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 attended the University of Iowa College of Nursing to receive her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Her PhD in Nursing was granted by the University of Illinois.
Dr. Kerfoot, an expert in psychiatric nursing, led nursing at the University of Iowa psychiatric facility where she met her husband Bill when he was a psychiatric tech. (He says he “married the boss.") They were married for 55 years. Future positions include 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.
Following a very impactful career as a nurse leader in hospital settings, Dr. Kerfoot transitioned to industry where she was able to influence 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 mentored countless young nurses, asking deep and meaningful questions that created a safe space, a gracious space, and a place to embrace each nurse’s own power to move forward and thrive. She was dedicated to improving patient care with a passion that was undeniable, always thinking beyond today and encouraging her colleagues to create a better future for nurses and patient care. Her enthusiasm was contagious. When an idea piqued Karlene’s curiosity, her "Let's do it! It'll be fun!" invitations to bend the curve were irresistible. She was beloved as a boss, a mentor and a friend.
Dr. Kerfoot leaves behind a tremendous legacy, an extensive body of clinical leadership and nurse staffing research and publications that are widely cited for their expertise and evidence - an indelible mark on her profession.
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, an international non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the compassionate care nurses provide every day. She was a relentless advocate for nursing’s place in the digital evolution, and with the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, she co-created and co-chaired 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.