Nursing education
1 December 2012
Dr Rosemary Kennedy CBE has been appointed as an Honorary Visiting Professor at the School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies.
Currently the Independent Chairman for Velindre NHS Trust, Dr Kennedy is responsible for ensuring that the Trust delivers high quality care across all the specialist health services it provides for the NHS in Wales - including breast screening, oncology and palliative medicine.
Dr Kennedy has held a number of senior NHS positions, and from 1999-2010 was the Chief Nursing Officer for Wales – the most senior nursing position in Wales. During this time she was responsible for the publication of several key nursing strategies for Wales including Free to Lead: Free to Care, which gave ward sisters and charge nurses greater responsibility on their wards and thus raised the standard of care while maintaining the dignity and respect of patients.
As Chief Nursing Officer, Dr Kennedy steered nurse education through times of significant change. She has remained involved with the School through her contribution to its nursing and midwifery programmes, speaking regularly on our Masters and Professional Doctorate programmes to impart invaluable knowledge of health policy, the NHS and the Welsh Government.
Dr Kennedy recently gave an address at the School's 40th Anniversary celebratory Gala Dinner, describing her experiences as the Chief Nursing Officer responsible for navigating the change to make nursing an all graduate entry profession.
Professor Sheila Hunt, Dean and Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery studies, said of the appointment: 'Professor Rosemary Kennedy has made an outstanding contribution to nursing and midwifery education, practice and leadership in Wales and the UK. It is therefore a very great honour to welcome her as Honorary Visiting Professor to the School of Nursing and Midwifery Studies here in Cardiff University. I know that her contribution will benefit both students and our academic staff and we look forward to developing our collaboration in the years ahead. '