New Faculty Join Fisher: Two Begin at Wegmans School of Nursing

Next in our series welcoming new faculty to Fisher, College News Highlights introduces Dr. Deborah A. Hurley, DNP, RN, CNL and Kathryn M. Ledwin, MS, FNP-C in the Wegmans School of Nursing.

Hurley joined the faculty in August as an associate professor of nursing, where she is teaching in the undergraduate program, advising students, and serving as the co-coordinator for Med-Surg II clinical rotations.

Prior to joining the College, she had a lengthy career at the University of Rochester Medical Center. Most recently, she served as the assistant director of learning and development, overseeing the American Heart Association Training Center, the Resuscitation Quality Improvement program, and fulfilling regulatory requirements related to compliance and policy. She also coordinated simulation and experiential learning opportunities.

As the senior clinical nurse leader in the critical care unit, she created educational opportunities for new and incumbent staff and developed staff engagement activities, among other responsibilities.

Hurley earned an A.A.S. in Nursing from Monroe Community College, her BSN from the College at Brockport, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Rochester.

Ledwin is a family nurse practitioner in a community health setting making house calls to medically complex patients with a focus on congestive heart failure, COPD, and diabetes management.

Prior to becoming a nurse, she received a bachelor’s degree in studio art and education from the University of Richmond. A Double Cardinal, Ledwin earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Wegmans School of Nursing. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in nursing at the University at Buffalo, with an expected completion by May 2024.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing, she worked in the intensive care unit at Highland Hospital, serving as a member of the code, medical emergency, and rapid response teams, as well as the professional development committee. Ledwin was also a charge nurse and precepted both new employees and students.

Before joining the faculty full-time at the College, she served as an adjunct clinical faculty and a guest lecturer for the School of Nursing and at the University at Buffalo. Her teaching interests include pharmacology, pathophysiology, geriatrics, complex care management, nursing ethics and leadership, community health nursing, and nursing research. Her professional research is focused on community-based nursing and educational interventions for new graduate nurses.