Dr. Zim Okoli, Executive Director of BH WELL, shares, “Dr. Walmsley’s diverse skill set in counseling and expertise in mindfulness compliment much of the projects and programs which we develop in BH WELL. Her incredible wealth of experience informs the development of several resources to enhance wellbeing among students and a culture of wellness within organizations.”
Q&A with Dr. Lee Anne Walmsley
Lee Anne Walmsley, Ph.D., EdS, MSN, RN received all of her degrees from the University of Kentucky - PhD in 2015, MSN in 2006, EdS in 2003, and BSN in 1978. She worked in a variety of medical settings including a neonatal intensive care unit in Birmingham, England. She began teaching in 1998 and has been an instructor at UK since 2004. In her current position, she directs Work-Life and Student Wellness. Dr. Walmsley also serves as the Military and Veteran Student Liaison. She is an Academic-Clinical Partner Scholar with UK HealthCare at Good Samaritan Hospital.
Trained in Counseling Psychology, she utilizes her expertise to bring wellness and self-care programs to faculty, staff and students at the College of Nursing. She is trained in Mindful Meditation and teaches Koru classes for the University. Her research interests include adult learners and educational research along with psychological well-being and improving mental health outcomes for interprofessional health care students. Dr. Walmsley collaborates with colleagues at the College of Nursing who examine psychological well-being, anxiety, and depression.
Dr. Walmsley joined the BH WELL team in 2019. As a part of BH WELL, she provides expert input into self-care educational resource development.
Q: When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A nurse, OF COURSE! I was very blessed to have a mother and father who encouraged me to become a nurse and supported me the whole way... even through earning my doctorate. My proudest moment was having my father present for my defense!
Q: Is there a particular moment or memory from your time as a floor nurse that stands out to you?
Every time I have been in the room when my patients were told they had a terminal diagnosis. Those moments are hard but so important to be PRESENT for the patient. They need nurses the most when they get “BAD NEWS”.
Q: How do you define success in your career?
Being able to follow my heart’s passion which is to teach and help others find mental health and wellness and be kind to themselves and to help nurses take care of themselves as well as they take care of others.
Q: What does being part of BH WELL mean to you?
BH WELL encourages me to EVALUATE and DISSEMINATE evidence-based information which is so important in promoting mental health and wellbeing. Research supports the importance of interventions to promote mental health and well-being and BH WELL supports research in this important area of health.
Q: What do you think other people should know about BH WELL?
There is a wealth of information presented in “FUN” ways that cut across all ages and developmental stages of life. I wish more people “knew about us” and used our platform regularly for “tips” for mental health and well-being.
Q: If you had a 3-day weekend, how would you spend it?
Just like I always do- spending time in nature at my farm, camping, building fires, planting gardens and trees, playing with my dogs, cats and horse… being grateful for the majesty and grandeur of nature and living in KENTUCKY!