KONL is pleased to spotlight Board Member Judy Ponder. Dr. Ponder is a proven leader in advancing Pathway to Excellence readiness initiatives, aligning nursing practice with national standards, and leading system-level strategies that strengthen workforce engagement and patient outcomes. A frequent podium and poster presenter at local, state, and national conferences, she was published in the Journal of Nursing Administration, including “The Effect of an Educational Intervention on Nurses’ Knowledge, Beliefs, and Actions to Be Taken Regarding Suicide” (2024). Dr. Ponder’s professional experience spans bedside patient care, academic faculty roles, and nursing director level leadership. She earned a DNP and MSN from University of Kentucky and a BSN from Berea College and is board certified as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Nursing Professional Development specialist (NPD-BC) through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. She serves as the Director of Education and Professional Development/Diabetes Education at Baptist Health Richmond.

Dr. Ponder is an active member of the American Nurses Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership and she maintains longstanding involvement with the Kentucky Organization of Nurse Leaders. She serves as KONL Cumberland District Director and as a member of the KONL Program Committee. She chairs the KONL Poster/Abstract Subcommittee contributing to leadership development and nursing excellence across the state.

Please join KONL in thanking Dr. Ponder for her nursing leadership as a KONL Board member.