Retirement caps off 50-year career in nursing and academia; flexibility and more time with family will soon be on daily agenda

From as early as sixth grade, Pat Reidy remembers being intrigued by nursing. There was the influence from her mother, popular nursing story books, and working as a “candy striper” in a hospital setting. 

Now, 50 years after earning her nursing diploma and eventually her Doctor of Nursing practice, Reidy will retire on July 11. The interim dean of nursing and Amelia Peabody Professor in Nursing says it’s time, and she knows it. 

“It’s important to have a succession plan,” said Reidy. “You never want to get to the point that people say, ‘Oh, that person needs to retire.’ I think you do need fresh ideas, and I feel the next generation is ready to bring new ideas and great energy.”

For nearly 21 years, Reidy has brought ideas, energy, and a can-do approach to the MGH Institute table. Helping get the interprofessional practice off the ground, incorporating simulated patients, mobile van services, and Child Development Day are just some of her accomplishments, along with numerous publications, book chapters, and national and international presentations. Among her list of honors, Reidy is a Watts Award winner, two-time winner of the Award for Excellence in Advancing Interprofessional Education and Practice, a Distinguished Fellow and Practitioner in the National Academies of Practice, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing.

“Pat’s scholarship has helped push the field forward, but perhaps more remarkably, what I have observed is she helped others find their scholarly voice and passion,” said Provost Reamer Bushardt during his remarks about Reidy during May’s Institute retirement party. “She's more interested in your success than in the spotlight, and she believes in growing people in community, not just projects.”

Before academia, Reidy began her nursing career in 1975 at Miriam Hospital in Providence, RI, then continued her career in Massachusetts where she became a nurse practitioner for the Family Health Center of Worcester Community Health Center. She cared for underserved families and stayed for 15 years until she was recruited to work at the MGH Institute. 

“Working in a community health center is very rewarding but I was ready for a change. I was always teaching at the health center but wanted to bring my teaching to the classroom. We had medical residents and students from many disciplines. As a residency program, I had a faculty appointment with UMass Medical School. So, that's how I learned more about interprofessional practice, and I was able to build upon all of those experiences.”

Research was another foundation Reidy built. She is responsible for more than $7 million in Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funding either a principal investigator or co-principal investigator, including a $3 million grant for Nurse-Led Mobile Program in which a van takes IHP nursing faculty and students for home visits for those having difficulty traveling to the IPC. Two years ago, the Institute landed a nearly $6 million grant from the U.S. Dept of Labor to work with Mass General Brigham and help build the nurse educator pipeline, an effort Reidy spearheaded. 

Up until 2022, Reidy was a per-diem family nurse practitioners at health centers in Lowell, Dorchester, and Worcester — the real-world exposure keeping her skills sharp and translatable in the classroom.

“I would be there at least a day a week, precepting NP students,” said Reidy. “I really enjoy that aspect of nursing.” 

During the final year of her career, Reidy has been the interim dean for the School of Nursing, stepping in when Ken White retired as dean last year, adding to an already long list of Institute roles: clinical instructor, track coordinator, program director, associate dean, professor, researcher, mentor.

“As I've often said to our graduates, nursing is a profession full of opportunity, from the bedside to the community, from primary care to education, administration, leadership,” reflected Reidy. “I've been very fortunate to experience all of these paths, and I'm especially appreciative of all the opportunities I've had at the IHP as I transitioned from practice to academics.”

Reidy says she’ll miss the people at the Institute along with the commitment, autonomy and creativity that’s encouraged in an academic setting. What she won’t miss is the long commute, or concerns about enrollment or course scheduling. 

What does Reidy look forward to the most? Doing what she wants when she wants to. Otherwise known as “preferment.” 

“I love that word,” said Reidy. “I heard (former MGH Institute President) Jan Bellack use that term at her retirement party. Now my husband and I can spend more time with our grandkids and go places during the week. We have flexibility. I’m looking forward to it.” 

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