Kimberly Kennel, PhD, RN-BC, CCRN, CNE
Assistant Professor
874 Union Ave., Room 306
Memphis, TN, 38163
901.448.9447
kkennel1@uthsc.edu
Dr. Kimberly Kennel is an Assistant Professor for the University of Tennessee (UT) Health Science Center, joining the faculty of the College of Nursing in August 2022. Prior to joining the UT Health Science Center faculty she was an Associate Professor at Baptist Health Sciences University for 13 years in the role of Medical Surgical coordinator. She received her Diploma of nursing from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1991 and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree from Union University in 2003. She completed her Master of Science in Nursing Degree focusing on Nursing Education from Union University in 2009. She completed her PhD in Nursing in 2018 from University of Missouri-Kansas City with her dissertation titled “The Effects of Career Commitment, Distress, and Persistence on Academic Success among Undergraduate Baccalaureate Nursing Students.”
Dr. Kennel’s teaching experience includes undergraduate Adult Health Medical Surgical courses including classroom/clinical/simulation instruction along with Pharmacology. Dr. Kennel’s clinical experience as a bedside nurse includes acute and critical care with the Baptist Healthcare system. She was the 2021 Faculty Daisy Award Recipient from Baptist Health Sciences University for Extraordinary Nursing Faculty. Dr. Kennel was awarded the Student Government Association Excellence in Teaching Award from UT Health Science Center College of Nursing in May 2024.
Dr. Kennel maintains certification in Medical Surgical Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, and is a Certified Nurse Educator. Dr. Kennel’s research interests and publications include self-care in nursing education and student success/persistence and barriers students encounter within a nursing program. She is currently Treasurer of TNA District One and Past-President of the Greater Memphis Chapter of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses. She is a member of American Association of Nurses (ANA), Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA), American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Sigma Theta Tau International-Beta-Theta at large Chapter (STTI), National League of Nursing (NLN), Greater Memphis Area Advanced Practice Nurses (GMAAPN), and the Mid-South Association for Nursing Professional Development (MSANPD).