Spalding University School of Nursing Associate Professor Dr. Erica Lemberger was recently selected to two prominent leadership roles – one to serve on the Kentucky Board of Nursing and the other as a member of the next cohort of the prestigious Leadership Louisville program.
Lemberger, who teaches in Spalding’s online RN-to-BSN program, was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to a four-year term on the 16-member Kentucky Board of Nursing, which is responsible for the development and enforcement of state laws governing the safe practice of nursing, nursing education and credentialing.
Lemberger said she was honored to receive the governor’s appointment.
“I am deeply committed to ensuring all Kentuckians receive the safest, highest-quality healthcare,” she said. “I look around the room at KBN and see a wealth of experience; Kentucky is in good hands. I am filling the seat of a former Kentucky Nurses Association president and look forward to bringing my 20-plus years of experience to the table.”
Lemberger is a nurse practitioner with an array of nursing experience that includes cancer nursing, lung transplant nursing, medical-surgical nursing, emergency room care and Hospice care. The many settings in which she has practiced span from public health in homeless shelters to private health in affluent communities. A 2018 Louisville Business First Health Care Hero for excellence in patient experience, Lemberger has worked in military health, school health for pregnant and parenting teens, and nursing care for adults and children who survived physical and sexual abuse.
She has also taught in private and public universities. Since coming to Spalding in 2017, she has taken large groups of School of Nursing students to Frankfort each year to meet lawmakers as part of Kentucky Nurses Legislative Action Day.
“I am thrilled to bring what I’ve learned during my career to the Kentucky Board of Nursing,” Lemberger said, “and I also look forward to bringing my real-world experience at KBN to my RN-to-BSN classrooms at Spalding.”
Lemberger said working with Spalding’s School of Nursing faculty has been valuable in her career. She said. Dr. Patty Spurr, Director of Spalding’s RN-to-BSN program, a former Chair of the School of Nursing and a former KBN board member, has been a mentor.
“Our RN-to-BSN students have the unique benefit of learning from esteemed nurses who have firsthand experiences in leadership, governance and education,” Lemberger said.
This past week, it was also announced that Lemberger is among 54 outstanding Louisville professionals from a range of career fields chosen for the 2021 class of Leadership Louisville, which is now in its 42nd year as a preeminent community leadership program in the city.
“I look forward to learning more about the assets and needs of our community, building strong relationships with a network of professionals, and adding some tools to my toolbox as a leader,” Lemberger said of the 10-month program. “I’m proud to represent Spalding University and hope to bring what I learn back to the classroom. We need strong, compassionate and well-informed leaders in healthcare. I am grateful to be offered the opportunity to dive deeper into leadership and to learn more about our community.”