Graduate Spotlight: Matilda “Mattie” Quigley, BSN

BH WELL is proud of Matilda “Mattie” Quigley for completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing from the UK College of Nursing! During her time with BH WELL, Mattie has not only grown as a student and future nurse, but also as a thoughtful advocate and storyteller—using her voice to explore complex issues like mental health, recovery, and resilience in both healthcare and young adult communities. BH WELL Executive Director, Dr. Zim Okoli, shares, "Mattie is going to be an incredible nurse who advocates for both nurses and patients. Through her unique perspectives and creative writing style, she helps us all remember that those who care for others are human and need care, themselves. And when nurses seek care for themselves, they gain the incredible strength to provide compassionate care for others.”

In the following Q&A, Mattie reflects on what led her to nursing, the passions she’s developed along the way, and the meaningful work she’s created during her time with BH WELL. 

Why did you choose to pursue a BSN?  

Mattie: I’ve always had a deep passion for science and biology, so I knew early on that I wanted to build a career in healthcare. What ultimately drew me to nursing was the example set by the strong, caring, and incredibly smart women in my family: my mom, sister, aunt, and grandmother. Watching them lead with compassion, resilience, and intelligence showed me what it looks like to make a real impact in people’s lives. Following in their footsteps felt natural. Nursing is a wonderful, challenging, and diverse profession, and choosing this degree has allowed me to combine my love of science with the kind of meaningful, people‑centered work I’ve always admired. 

What passions have you developed during your time at UK?  

Mattie: During my time at UK, I’ve developed a deep passion for caring for vulnerable and often overlooked populations. I’m especially drawn to LGBTQ+ health, substance‑use recovery, eating‑disorder care, and nurse suicide prevention. These areas matter to me because I’ve seen how many nurses and nursing students quietly struggle with serious mental‑health challenges, and I feel a strong responsibility to advocate for them. I’ve also grown passionate about wellness and the importance of caring for both mind and body. I try to lead by example, prioritizing balance, resilience, and sustainable habits, and I hope to carry that forward into my practice as a nurse who supports both patients and colleagues with empathy and honesty. 

What projects have you worked on while with BH WELL?  

Mattie: During my time with BH WELL, my work has focused on creative health communication using storytelling, personal narrative, and accessible writing to spark conversations about mental health in nursing and among young adults. I’ve collaborated closely with the BH WELL team to produce several short blogs, including The Pandemic Generation Isn’t Behind; We’re Still Rebuilding, Why Young Adults Turn to AI Even When They Don’t Trust It, and The True Edge of AI Psychosis. I also wrote What We Are Not Talking About in Nursing: Eating Disorders and the Culture That Fuels Them, which is currently awaiting publication. 

Right now, I’m working on an interview‑based blog featuring Eastern State Hospital Chief Nursing Officer, Dr. Marc Woods, that explores nurse suicide, a topic I’m deeply passionate about. I also wrote The Two‑Way Mirror: Recovery, Nursing, and the Fear of Being Seen, a personal essay about my experience with alcohol use disorder and recovery during nursing school. This piece will be accompanied by a short animated film, voiced by me, to help bring that story to life in a way that feels honest, accessible, and supportive for others who may be struggling. 

Which project was your favorite to work on?  

Mattie: My favorite project has been The Two‑Way Mirror: Recovery, Nursing, and the Fear of Being Seen. It’s a story I’ve been both eager to tell and terrified to bring into the spotlight. Sharing my experience with alcohol use disorder and recovery during nursing school required a level of vulnerability I hadn’t stepped into before, but the BH WELL team supported me unconditionally throughout the process. I also had the chance to work closely with Michele Gulley, BH WELL's graphic designer, which was an incredible creative experience. This project pushed me far outside my comfort zone, but it mattered deeply to me, both personally and professionally. Creating it felt like leaving a meaningful mark on the College of Nursing before I graduate. 

What has being part of the BH WELL team meant to you?  

Mattie: Being part of the BH WELL team has meant far more to me than I ever expected. When I first joined, I thought my role would mainly involve peer tutoring. Instead, I was able to dive deeply into the creative side of being a project assistant. I’ve never had the opportunity to write professionally before, and getting to use something that started as a personal hobby to make a real impact has been incredibly meaningful. 

This team helped me grow into a more open, vulnerable, and confident version of myself. Their support allowed me to strengthen my voice as a writer and to express my passions for behavioral health in a new, powerful way. Working with BH WELL has also reignited my passion for psychiatric nursing, a passion I hope to carry with me as I begin my career with UK HealthCare. 

What’s next for you?  

Mattie: Next, I’ll be starting my career at UK HealthCare in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit. This role is especially meaningful to me because I love the critical thinking, precision, and deep patient focus that intensive care demands. Some people call it “controlled chaos,” and honestly, that’s my favorite kind of adrenaline— the kind that requires you to stay sharp, steady, and fully present for one or two patients who truly need you. 

It also feels special to be following in my mother’s footsteps; she has spent nearly 30 years in the CVICU, and stepping into the same environment she’s dedicated her career to is an honor. At the same time, I hope to carry my passion for behavioral health with me into this next chapter. Mental health advocacy has become a core part of who I am, and I plan to keep that door open, including the possibility of returning to psychiatric nursing in the future as my career evolves. 

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Please join BH WELL in celebrating Mattie’s accomplishment! Her dedication to compassionate care, advocacy, and honest storytelling will no doubt leave a lasting impact on both her patients and the nursing community.