In 2013, Professor Kathi Mooney, PhD became the first member of the College of Nursing faculty to be selected for the honor of Distinguished Professor at the University of Utah. For the college, the recognition celebrates the contributions of a professor who, in the words of Dean Maureen R. Keefe, RN, PhD, FAAN, “Exemplifies the full spectrum of academic excellence.”
For Mooney, being named Distinguished Professor has been an opportunity to reflect on her career at the University of Utah, which spans more than three decades. Asked what initially drew her to the U, Mooney says, “The question is not so much why I came to the University of Utah but why I have stayed.” Here, she explores a few of the University of Utah’s greatest assets—and their influence on her notable research career.
“Success is the work of many, not just the leader.”
Mooney’s ability to lead, energize and inspire collaboration among scholars from diverse backgrounds has resulted in consistent funding from the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, including the College of Nursing’s first Program Project Grant (P01). “Success is the work of many, not just the leader,” she says. “At the University of Utah, I have been blessed by dedicated research staff and collaborators. Together our work is demonstrating how cancer symptom burden can be significantly reduced.”
And whether she is working one-on-one with PhD students or involving undergraduates in research practicums and as research assistants, Mooney enjoys sharing her excitement for research with those just beginning to experience the incredible pull of nursing science and discovery and the power of research. In turn, students enrich her work and thinking. “Being immersed in the same research area for many years can narrow a researcher’s perspective but students aren’t encumbered by that narrow lens,” Mooney says. “They often ask questions that provide new insights and directions—everyone grows in the exchange.”
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“The encouragement to take risks and innovate has made the College of Nursing and the University of Utah a place to thrive and excel.” |
Mooney’s impressive 36-year career at the University of Utah is characterized by innovative, paradigm shifting contributions, including the development and testing of effective remote monitoring and improved treatment for cancer-related symptoms and the promotion of palliative care inclusion in the cancer research and health policy agenda. “At the University of Utah I have enjoyed the freedom to pursue my own interests and periodically reinvent my focus in either my research or teaching or advocacy around cancer health policy and national leadership in cancer nursing,” she says. “The encouragement to take risks and innovate has made the College of Nursing and the University of Utah a place to thrive and excel.”
Frequently students turn to Mooney for advice as they begin the process of interviewing for their first academic position. “I emphasize to students, ‘above all else, seek a place like the University of Utah that offers freedom and truly values innovation and excellence.’”
When Mooney began her career in the San Francisco-Bay Area she was interested in pediatric nursing. At the time, the only position available to her was in pediatric oncology. “I was a bit nervous about whether I would be cut out for such a difficult specialty but soon found that pediatric oncology taught me so much about living life meaningfully,” Mooney says. “Oncology nursing—and its values—has offered me the opportunity to work with people and their families during moments of great personal crisis and fear, to see both triumphs and sadness, but most importantly to witness the resiliency of people who live life to the fullest in spite of the disease.”
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“I feel passionately about improving the lives of people living with cancer. Luckily, what I love to do benefits the tripartite mission of the College of Nursing.” |
On all accounts, including distinguished contributions to research, to teaching and to practice, Mooney has built a career that embodies the meaning of the rank of University of Utah Distinguished Professor. “I feel passionately about improving the lives of people living with cancer and reducing their symptom burden,” she says. “Luckily, what I love to do benefits the tripartite mission of the College of Nursing.”