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Omaha, Nebraska - Nebraska Methodist College (NMC) recently promoted two faculty to take on the roles of program directors for doctoral programs.
Tara Whitmire is the new director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program. She previously served as associate professor and director of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) to DNP program.
Whitney Robertson is the new director of the Doctor of Education (EdD) program. In addition to being an associate professor she has been and will continue to serve as the program director for the Master of Business Administration in Healthcare and Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management programs.
“We are confident that Dr. Whitmire and Dr. Robertson will continue to excel in their new roles and make significant contributions to our programs,” said Mindy Barna, dean of nursing.
Whitmire, a cardiothoracic nurse practitioner, has been widely recognized for her professional contributions.
She was the recipient of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners State Award for Excellence - Advocate in 2024, was named an NMC Distinguished Educator in 2023, received the Star Award for contributions to nursing from Sigma Tau Tau Chapter in 2020, was a Ruth Berggren Elliott Master Teacher Award Nominee in 2018 and 2020, and was named a Nebraska Action Coalition's 40 under 40 award winner in 2012.
She currently serves as the president of the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses.
“I am honored to be promoted to director of the DNP Program. I am committed to ensuring the continued success of the students in the program,” said Whitmire. “I look forward to working closely with the faculty and staff of the doctoral programs to promote excellence in graduate nursing education.”
Whitmire earned a Doctor in Nursing Practice from the University of Iowa, Master of Science - Family Nurse Practitioner from Creighton University, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Iowa State University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
“Dr. Whitmire’s experience, combined with her student-focused approach and attentiveness to faculty needs, makes her the ideal candidate to take on additional administrative responsibilities as the director of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program,” Barna said. “Her passion for education remains, and she will continue to teach courses when possible, ensuring the program leadership stays connected to the student experience.”
Robertson’s experience has equipped her with a unique blend of academic and practical insights that she brings to her teaching and leadership.
She previously worked in research administration and technology commercialization at a large, integrated health system and in technology-based economic development consulting. She has many years of experience teaching courses in strategic management, healthcare administration, microbiology and doctoral scholarly projects.
Robertson earned her PhD in Cellular and Molecular Biology and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management of Life Science Technologies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
The doctoral programs were previously run by Director of Doctoral Studies Alice Kindschuh, who is moving to an adjunct faculty position.
“Dr. Kindschuh has built a phenomenal program whose team cares deeply about student success and upholding the EdD program philosophy of developing thought leaders and change agents,” said Robertson. “I’m honored to be selected as the next director and excited for what we will continue to achieve.”