Faculty Spotlight: Kim Powell

Kim Powell joined the college in August as an assistant professor. She received her PhD along with a graduate certificate in health policy from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, an MSN from Spalding University and a BSN from Purdue University.

Powell’s research interests are in the areas of health information technology and self-management of patients with multiple chronic conditions. As part of her dissertation research, Powell conducted a multiple methods study and formed partnerships with UT’s Haslam College of Business and private-sector organizations in order to investigate the use of electronic patient portals.

In January 2018, Powell was awarded a post-doctoral appointment with the University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing.  As part of her post-doctoral appointment she will work on a grant funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to examine information technology adoption in nursing homes and the impact of technology on quality measures.

The ultimate goal of Powell’s research is to use technological tools such as the electronic patient portal to improve outcomes. “In order to make a significant impact on patient outcomes and to improve delivery of health care services in our country, we must think differently about how we engage patients and empower them to be partners in their care,” said Powell.

As a nurse researcher, Powell is passionate about leading change through improved partnerships between patients and providers as well as partnerships between researchers and health care organizations. During her doctoral studies, she was able to partner with the nation’s largest provider of post-acute care and another large primary care organization in mutually beneficial ways. They supported her in her research and she helped them by giving them insight into their processes and potential areas for improvement.