When a Dream Becomes a Legacy - The Elliott School of Nursing Celebrates 40 Years

The Elliott School of Nursing Celebrates 40 Years

By Amy Charles, MBA ’23

A portrait of the late Elizabeth Akers Elliott hangs in the hallway of the nursing school that bears her name. When her husband, W.E. Elliott Sr., decided to establish a trust to fund a nursing school at then Pikeville College, he was quoted as saying, “All she ever wanted was to be a nurse. But in those days, you couldn’t be married and be a nurse, so she had to give up her dream. This program, named in her honor, would have made her very happy.”

This year, the University of Pikeville Elliott School of Nursing (ESON) celebrates 40 years. Founded in 1983, ESON has graduated nearly 1,000 well-trained students who have gone on to pursue nursing careers in a variety of settings.

What began as the Elizabeth Akers Elliott Nursing Program in the basement of the Armington Building, graduating just 20 students, has grown into a program that is technologically driven, accepting 120 students yearly and graduating nurses with a level of education that is unmatched in the area.

The nursing program expanded from a traditional associate degree in nursing to include the LPN (Licensed Practical Nurses) bridge program in 1996, which allowed LPNs to complete their two-year nursing degree and become Registered Nurses (RN) in one year. Then in 2011, under the leadership of Professor Emeritus Mary Rado Simpson, Ph.D., RN, the RN to BSN program was added, making it more convenient for working nurses to further their education and earn their Bachelor of Nursing (BSN) degree. It was the first program of its kind in the area and is now completely online.

Perhaps the most remarkable transformation of the program has come under the direction of the College of Nursing and Human Services Dean Karen Damron, Ph.D., RN. Early in her role as dean, ESON underwent a multi-million-dollar renovation project funded by the generosity of an anonymous donor. The university is deeply grateful to the donor whose contribution enabled the transformation of the Community Technology Center Building into a multi-level, state-of-the-art environment that raises the bar for other nursing programs.

The space includes a realistic simulation center, an extremely detailed hospital setting as well as a skills lab capable of accommodating up to 50 students. The lounge and meeting space are popular spots where students gather and collaborate on projects and study.

“The skills and simulation labs allow students to experience and react to critical situations that don’t often occur in clinical areas with actual patients, better-preparing students when quick reaction times and appropriate interventions are needed by a patient,” explained Damron.

“The Elliott School of Nursing’s labs and learning spaces are comparable, if not better, than any nursing school around.”

Simpson, who was named Founding Dean of ESON after serving as program chair for 14 years, was a strong advocate for better equipment and expanding space for the program. Her efforts toward the end of her tenure laid the groundwork for Damron to carry the program into the next phase of growth, creating a footprint for other programs to emulate.

“Pikeville College, now UPIKE, has always had a philosophy of being student-oriented, providing individualized instruction,” said Simpson. “With all the other changes the program has undergone, that component has never changed.”

“The Elliott family has remained involved with the program, keeping their commitment to nursing at UPIKE,” said Damron. “A representative from the Elliott family attends our graduation each year in Elizabeth’s honor. It’s like she is watching over us all.”

The significant contribution of the Elliott family has not only provided opportunities for students to realize their dreams but has built a foundation of nursing that has become the legacy of Elizabeth Akers Elliott.

Zachary Runyon (middle) received the 2023 Elizabeth Akers Elliott Nursing Award which was presented by members of the Elliott Family