The College of Nursing has received a transformational gift from Lisa Edwards Reed (’86) and Greg Reed (’85, ’88), establishing the Lisa and Greg Reed Endowed Dean’s Chair.This investment ensures strong leadership for the college as it continues to expand programs, increase student enrollment, and prepare the next generation of nurses to meet the growing health care demands.
Victoria Niederhauser, current dean of the college, will be the first to hold the Lisa and Greg Reed Endowed Dean’s Chair. Niederhauser will retire at the end of the academic year.
“Lisa really exhibits the heart of a Vol nurse,” said Niederhauser. “She has been extremely dedicated to the university as a whole and the college. She’s had a long, distinguished career as a nurse leader, and is now dedicated to supporting the success of the next generation of nurses. The creation of this endowed chair shows her and Greg’s commitment to sustaining excellence in nursing education for generations to come.”
The Reeds are longtime supporters of the university and the College of Nursing. Lisa, an alumnus of the college, built a 32-year career in health care, beginning as a nurse at UT Medical Center before finding her passion in home health care. She served as vice president of the home health division for National Healthcare Corporation for over 25 years, and later as president and COO of a health care start-up before retiring in 2020. Greg, also a graduate of UT with a BA in Economics and History and a JD from the college of law, has established a successful 30-year solo practice after beginning his career with a larger firm and as Assistant District Attorney for the 16th Judicial District of Tennessee.
The Reeds’ philanthropy has supported multiple areas of campus, including the Greg and Lisa Edwards Reed Endowed Nursing Scholarship and a state-of-the-art simulated home health care apartment inside the UT Medical Nursing Building, which opened in August. The space provides nursing students with hands-on training for in-home care scenarios.
Lisa’s dedication to her alma mater has also extended to board service and mentorship. She has served on the College of Nursing Advisory Board for 12 years and is the current chair, and a has served on the UTK Alumni Board of Directors since 2019, serving as President 2024-2025. In 2019, she received the Sylvia E. Hart Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor the college of nursing gives to graduates. She mentors multiple first-generation students each year through the UT Promise program.
Lisa attributes much of her and Greg’s professional success to the education they received at UT.
“This university provided the foundation for success we have achieved,” she said. “The College of Nursing’s curriculum, its faculty, and the support in general were so important to me. What we’re doing in the College of Nursing is not just clinical education. It is confidence building and leadership training as well as helping students understand the importance of taking care of themselves as well as others.”
Niederhauser says the endowed dean’s chair will strengthen the college’s ability to attract and retain top academic leaders who can continue driving growth and innovation.
“We are so indebted to alumni who share their time, talents, and energy with us,” Niederhauser said. “The Reeds’ extraordinary gift not only secures the future of the College of Nursing but also ensures that our students receive the very best preparation to enter and lead in today’s complex health care environment.”
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CONTACT:
Kara Clark (865-974-9498, [email protected])