January 18, 2024 - Wendy Woodall (UK Nursing Alum - CNO Walter Reed)

Behind the Blue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 18, 2024) – Col. Wendy Woodall is no stranger to spending time in new locations. Growing up in a U.S. military family and living in a variety of locations during her childhood, she calls herself a native of Princeton, Ky, where her father is from.

While attending high school in Virginia, her father decided to retire from military service and move back to Kentucky. She decided to attend UK, the only school in the state she was familiar with, because of her dad’s love of UK Athletics as much as anything else. Little did she know that this decision would lead her to a fulfilling academic experience and a lifelong passion for nursing.

A proud alumna of the UK College of Nursing, Woodall earned her bachelor's degree in nursing in 1998. Her dedication to serving the nation as a military nurse has taken her to diverse locations, including active duty in South Korea and Iraq. Last year, she assumed the role of chief nursing officer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, a testament to her leadership journey within the U.S. Army Nurse Corps and other esteemed organizations.

On this episode of ‘Behind the Blue’, Col. Woodall shares her insights into how her experience at UK shaped her career and prepared her for the pivotal role she holds today at Walter Reed, the world's premier military medical center.

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