Morgan Wessels
mwessels@SanDiego.edu
(619) 260-4163
Associate Dean and Professor
- University of San Diego - PhD
- University of San Diego - MSN and BSN
- Little Company of Mary - Hospital RN
Dr. Kathy Marsh, is the Associate Dean in the Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science and Beyster Institute for Nursing Research, University of San Diego. She oversees the graduate degrees and the international programs. Her research is related to pediatric populations and families, with Type 1 Diabetes, to make seamless and successful transitions to young adulthood as well as the study of psychoeducational interventions that improve both metabolic control of diabetes and the quality of life in young people and their parents. Her doctoral dissertation focused on adolescents transitioning from pediatric to adult care.
As a young and determined 19 year-old, Dr. Marsh obtained her RN diploma from Little Company of Mary Hospital in Chicago, Illinois and shortly thereafter accepted the responsibility of Charge Nurse in the NICU at The University of Chicago Hospital. She went on to obtain her BSN, MSN, and PhD from the University of San Diego.
Educated as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) in Family Health, Dr Marsh has over 35 years of nursing experience. She has considerable expertise in patient care management and in leading teams in the clinical and academic settings. She has worked in areas such as clinical trials, neonatal care, cardiac care, medical/surgical care, pediatric care, nursing education, and InterProfessional education. Dr. Marsh has specialized training leading to certifications in Critical Care, Post Anesthesia, Pediatrics, and Clinical Research.
A long commitment to working with the underserved populations of San Diego County led Dr. Marsh to be appointed by the Speaker of the California Assembly as a Commissioner for the California Healthcare Workforce Policy Commission. S For five years she served at the pleasure of the Speaker representing nursing students throughout the state of California. The commission is charged with increasing diversity in the healthcare workforce for the state of California.
Education of patients and families, as well as nursing staff and students, has been a constant thread throughout Dr. Marsh's career. Her passion for education has carried over into her commitment to volunteerism. For over 20 years Dr. Marsh has been on the planning committee and has served as a camp counselor for Camp Wana Kura - a day camp for children with diabetes, sponsored by the American Diabetes Association. Currently, Camp Wana Kura serves as a clinical site for MEPN students.
Dr. Marsh has presented at local and national conferences on topics including: Transitioning Adolescents with Type I Diabetes to Adult Care, On-Boarding Adjunct Faculty, Cross-Training of Nurses, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Parenting, and School Health. Dr. Marsh maintains a Legal Nurse consulting business focusing on the Nursing Standards of Practice in Southern California.
Areas of Expertise
Transition Adolescents to Adult Care