2018 40 Under 40: Amy Townsend, 39

SBJ photo by Wes Hamilton

Beginning her career in 2002 as a nurse, Amy Townsend is now educating the next generation of nurses as the chief nurse administrator of Cox College.

While leading the school’s largest program, Townsend has created night and weekend registered nurse classes to accommodate nontraditional students who make up the majority of the student body. Often, these students are first-generation college graduates and single working parents.

Townsend is purposeful to meet with these students on a weekly basis to offer support so none fall through the cracks. She also is in the final stages of revising curriculum for the undergraduate nursing department.

Townsend completed her doctoral degree in 2016 and is president of the Missouri League for Nursing, in addition to serving on the Clinical Faculty Academy Steering Committee. She also leads the Cox College performance improvement team.

What is your theme song? “Dreams,” by The Cranberries.

What are you doing to make the Ozarks better? I’m working to add to the nursing workforce so we can better care for our community.

What is your proudest moment? Successfully defending my doctoral dissertation and having my professor say, “Congratulations, Dr. Townsend.”

What app gets you through the day? Words With Friends.