(L to R): Dr. Lorry Liotta-Kleinfeld (Occupational Therapy), Dr. Leslie J. Higgins (Nursing), Dr. Beth Hallmark (Nursing), Dr. Cathy Taylor (Nursing), Dr. Erin Shankel (Nursing), Dr. Renee Brown (Physical Therapy)

Dr. Cathy Taylor, Dean of the Gordon E. Inman College of Health Sciences and Nursing, was recently honored as one of Nashville Medical News’s 2015 Women to Watch. For the 10th year, Nashville Medical News has profiled a group of women in Middle Tennessee who are making a difference in the health care landscape of Nashville, Tennessee or beyond through their work as clinicians, public health officials, advocates, administrators, association executives or professionals.

Taylor has served as Dean of the College of Health Sciences since 2012.  She came to Belmont from the Tennessee Department of Health’s Bureau of Health Service Administration where she was assistant commissioner.  Before that, she was an assistant professor at Vanderbilt University Nursing School of Nursing and the director of the Meharry-Vanderbilt Alliance Disease Management Program.

Dr. Taylor said she is grateful for the mentors and role models that have encouraged her throughout the career, and she greatly enjoys the opportunity to serve in a similar role for her students. “What an honor to be counted as part of this group of extraordinary women.  I am blessed to be able to do the work I love every day, surrounded by respected colleagues and exceptional students.”

For a full list of the 2015 Women to Watch honorees, click here.