Faculty from across the ETSU College of Nursing came together on Feb. 22 to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Patsy Pamkin, who passed away in July 2020. 

Dr. Patsy Pamkin served as assistant professor at ETSU’s College of Nursing. (Contributed/Melisa Feltner)

Pamkin had served as an assistant professor at the college since 2013, after earning her doctoral degree from University of Alabama-Birmingham, and she is remembered as an ardent proponent of continuing education. 

“Pat impressed upon nurses, especially the young ones, to keep studying and working to advance,” wrote Charles Miller, Pamkin’s brother, in an obituary statement.  “I am told she was even trying to motivate the nurses attending to her prior to her last surgery.”

Starting her nursing career in 1983, Pamkin pursued knowledge and opportunities to grow wherever she could. She taught several courses throughout her career with the university, including population, community and public health nursing, health promotion and research, as well as healthcare systems informatics. 

“She was highly respected by everybody,” said Teresa Feltner, the office coordinator for ETSU’s College of Nursing. “I’ve never heard anyone say an ill word about the woman. Students, faculty, everybody—they just loved her.” 

At the time of Pamkin’s passing, ETSU faculty mourned privately and began preparations for honoring her work publicly. As COVID-19 challenges arose and deanship of the college switched over, the process was delayed to the beginning of 2021.

Nursing faculty and staff gathered in a Zoom meeting to share the story of Pamkin’s life dedicated in service to others before presenting a plaque to be hung in her honor. Afterwards, colleagues shared the Florence Nightingale Tribute, an honor designed to see off a fellow nurse and release them from their duties. 

“You know, I think it was really hard to lose somebody that was that well regarded at the time that we lost her,” said Feltner. “COVID had just hit and everybody was still kind of in shock, and then for this to happen and for us to have no way to really comfort each other, I think that was really hard.” 

Pamkin’s plaque will hang alongside other honors within Nicks Hall.

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  • Benjamin Gilliam

    Benjamin Gilliam is a junior in the Media and Communication B.A. program majoring in Radio/TV/Film and Journalism with a minor in International Affairs. A Kingsport native, he has experience in many areas including wildlife photography and TV news.

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