CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness has announced that M. Kathleen Murphy, DNP, RN and professor at the University of Texas Medical Branch-School of Nursing, has been elected to the Prevent Blindness board of directors. The vote which took place on June 16 was held at the 2015 summer board meeting in Washington, D.C.

Starting as a member of the board of directors at Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, Murphy has been a volunteer for Prevent Blindness for more than 10 years. She later joined the Prevent Blindness Texas board where she currently serves and also volunteers at Prevent Blindness community programs and public health committee.

Along with her Prevent Blindness work, Murphy has also been a member of the American Public Health Association, American Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Executives, National Association of School Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and is the chair of the advisory committee for the National Center for Children’s Vision and Eye Health.

Additionally, at the University of Texas Medical Branch-School of Nursing, Murphy directs the executive nurse leader program which is focused on creating the professional development of emerging nurse leaders.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Alverno College and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. In 2009, Murphy also earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Minnesota. She has received several awards and honors including selection as a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Executive Nurse Fellow.

“Prevent Blindness is primarily a public health organization, dedicated to protecting vision across all ages and demographics,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “And, I’d like to welcome Dr. Murphy to our board and look forward to her continued insight and leadership in helping to fill the gaps in outreach and services to those who are continually underserved.”