Barnes Presidential Endowed Chair

Overview

Ida May “Dotty” Barnes was born April 8, 1905, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She spent her earliest childhood in Richfield, Utah, then moved to Ogden at a young age. In 1923 Dotty entered the Nurses Training Program at Dee Memorial Hospital in Ogden, graduating in June 1926 and passing the state board examinations third highest in the state. She remained at Dee Hospital as supervisor of surgery until 1927, when she attended the University Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio to pursue a specialty in anesthesia. In 1928, Dotty moved to Council Bluffs, Iowa and worked at the Jenny Edmonds Memorial Hospital until returning to Dee Hospital in 1929.

Dotty married Dr. D. Keith Barnes on February 20, 1934. “Doc” Barnes was a lifetime resident of Kaysville, who served as a family practitioner in Davis County until he became the first director of the Davis County Public Health Department, a position he held for over thirty years. In 1986, Dr. Barnes was selected as a recipient of the Merit of Honor Award from the University of Utah. Dr. Barnes passed away in 1988.

Mrs. Barnes was active in community affairs, the Davis County Medical Auxiliary, Kaysville Art Club, Kaysville Bridge Club, and the Bay View Literary Club. She and her husband were avid sports fans and supporters of Davis High School and the University of Utah. Dotty enjoyed working in her yard and rose garden. She also served as an honorary member of the Health Sciences Council as a result of her outstanding support of the Health Sciences. Mrs. Barnes passed away in 1998.

Keith and Dotty have been wonderful examples to all in the health care field as providers of nursing and medical care. Their dedication to the betterment of higher education in medicine has further been exemplified with the establishment of the latest presidential endowed chair and scholarship fund.

Dotty’s dear friends, Meg and the late “Buss” Williams, were instrumental in implementing the wishes of the Barnes’ pertaining to the College of Nursing. Their goal was to ensure that the funds from the Barnes’ estate went toward assisting as many students as possible. The money from the endowed chair is used to improve nursing care, treatment, teaching, research and new equipment. Through these generous gifts, Keith and Dotty Barnes will continue to enrich and touch the lives of many for generations to come.

Chair Holders

Search in Progress (Current Chair Holder)
Janice Morse, PhD, RN, FAAN (Second Chair Holder, 2007-2020)
Linda Amos, EdD, FAAN (Inaugural Chair Holder, 2000-2006)