Q&A with UM School of Nursing Dean Barnes-Witherspoon
Caring for people who are sick and afraid requires more than the ability to give an injection or set up an IV. As a student in the School of Nursing at the University of Mobile, you learn from a team of professors with more than 100 years of combined clinical experience, plus you have the advantage of the state-of-the-art Center for Excellence in Healthcare Practice. We asked Dr. Sarah Barnes-Witherspoon, dean of the School of Nursing in the College of Health Professions, for an inside look at what it’s like to teach and learn in this Christ-centered academic community.
Q: What is your background?
A: My career in health care began in 1973 as a mental health worker, License Practical Nurse (Southwest State Technical Institute), Registered Nurse (Bishop State), BSN and MSN (Mobile College/University of Mobile). I learned how to balance family, church, work and school. Failure was never an option. I had over 27 years of employment at Searcy Hospital (never a dull moment!). During those years, I was certified as a psychiatric-mental health nurse and worked with the State of Alabama as a legal nurse consultant. My professional first love is psychiatric-mental health nursing.
Q: You said God called you to teach at UM. Tell us your UM story.
A: My employment at the University of Mobile happened unexpectedly. One Sunday evening, a former colleague called and asked if I was interested in teaching psychiatric-mental health nursing. Later that day, Dr. Rosemary Adams, dean of the School of Nursing, called and asked me to come in for an interview on Monday morning. I had a job offer mid-week, and I didn’t know what to do.
So I began to pray to God for direction. I was working at a job that I loved, and a new opportunity was mine as well. After about a week, God spoke to me and said, “I gave this to you.” My response was, thank you, Lord! August 2021 is my 20th anniversary at UM. In 2016, I received my terminal degree (Ph.D.) at William Carey University. While at UM, I advanced from instructor through all of the various ranks. Now, I serve as the dean of nursing. I have not regretted one moment. I challenge whoever is reading my statement to do your part, and the Lord will elevate you in due season.
Q: Why should someone choose to study nursing at UM?
A: The University of Mobile School of Nursing program is personable. The nursing faculty members maintain an open-door policy and know each student by name. They have worked at the bedside and have many years of experience and expertise to share. The faculty expects professionalism, honesty, integrity and compassion from our student nurses.
Q: What is your favorite class to teach and why?
A: My favorite subject remains Psychiatric–Mental Health Nursing. Although I have stepped out of the traditional classroom setting and now teach online, my passion for shaping future nurses and business majors has not diminished. In fact, teaching online has broadened my perspective and challenged me to engage students in meaningful and transformative ways.
One of my favorite courses to teach in the online environment is Legal and Ethical Framework in Healthcare. This course provides students with a strong foundation in legal principles, ethical decision-making, and professional accountability. Beyond understanding laws and regulations, students learn to apply compassion, critical thinking, and moral courage in complex healthcare situations. We explore topics such as patient rights, informed consent, confidentiality, leadership responsibility, stewardship of resources, and the ethical management of human capital. Most importantly, we discuss what it truly means to “do the right thing” in healthcare—even when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or personally costly.
It is both inspiring and humbling to witness how our students thoughtfully integrate a Christian worldview into their discussions and case studies. They wrestle with real-world dilemmas through the lens of Scripture, recognizing that healthcare is not merely a profession but a calling. They learn that ethical practice is not only about compliance with policies, but about honoring God by treating every patient as someone created in His image.
Ultimately, whether in psychiatric nursing or legal and ethical studies, my goal is to model integrity, compassion, and excellence. Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.” This verse guides my teaching philosophy and professional practice, encouraging me to pursue excellence not for recognition, but for the glory of God.
Kathy Dean uses her passion for storytelling and “playing with words” to share the stories of people, place and purpose that make the University of Mobile unique. As associate vice president for university communications, she manages media relations, edits the TorchLight alumni magazine, and oversees university communications. A former award-winning journalist, she is a two-time recipient of the Baptist Communicators Association grand prize for feature writing. Kathy and her husband, Chuck, live with three extremely loud miniature schnauzers.
