Patricia Watts Kelley

Dr. Kelley was recently an Associate Dean for Research and Scholarship and Professor of Nursing at the University of New Mexico and previously served as a Professor and Director of the Veterans to Bachelors of Nursing Science Program at Duquesne University School of Nursing from 2015 to 2020. She has held several research and leadership positions within the federal government including Health Sciences Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, Office of Research & Development, Washington, D.C. Prior to her Navy retirement, she held the position of Deputy Director of Nursing and Allied Health Research, Navy Medicine Research and Development Center, Navy Headquarters, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Washington, DC. She served as the first Navy Executive Director of the TriService Nursing Research Program and Director of Nursing Research Services at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.

Dr. Kelley received her Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing from the Catholic University of America, a Post-master's certificate in Family Primary Care from Northeastern University, a Master of Science from Boston University School of Nursing with a specialty in gerontology, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the American University, and an Associate Degree in Science from Northeastern University. Kelley is board certified as a Family and Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. She entered Naval Service from Boston, MA, as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1990 and since then has held a wide variety of clinical research, operational, staff and leadership positions overseas and within the United States. She was recognized for her service with a variety of military awards and civilian honors. She is a fellow in American Academy of Nursing and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.

Prior to entering Naval Service, Dr. Kelley held several civilian-nursing positions including serving as Executive Director, Assistant Executive Director, & Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Windsor House Adult Day, Cambridge, MA; and Director of Nursing Senior Care Management. She was responsible for several innovative geriatric programs. Among them were the dementia dual program at Windsor House Watertown and the facilitation of the Community Alzheimer's Support Services.