Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program Directors

Dr. Jody Beckington serves as the coordinator of the UC College of Nursing Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner MSN, Post-Master's Graduate Certificate and DNP programs. With more than 20 years of nursing experience, primarily at the bedside in intensive care units, Dr. Beckington currently works in a large private practice managing care for neurosurgical inpatients and outpatients and acts as a first assistant in surgery.

"What I find most fulfilling in this role is the opportunity to be deeply involved in patient care and to positively impact patients and their families during critical times."

Dr. Kim Mullins serves as the director of the UC College of Nursing's Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner MSN, Post-Master's Graduate Certificate and DNP programs. With over three decades of nursing experience, Dr. Mullins currently practices as a nurse practitioner in a radiation oncology clinic, where she witnesses the essential contributions NPs make in providing skilled and compassionate care. 

"I chose AGPCNP as my advanced practice specialty to take on greater clinical responsibility and make a lasting impact in patient care."

Holding 25 years of advanced nursing experience, Dr. Jason Gregg directs the Family Nurse Practitioner MSN, Post-Master's Graduate Certificate and DNP programs at the UC College of Nursing. His background includes clinical work in Family Medicine, a focus on substance use disorders, and recognition as a Fellow in the International Academy of Addictions Nursing. 

"Our faculty, including myself, actively practice and contribute to healthcare scholarship, ensuring our curriculum stays current and evidence-based. The program is designed with flexibility, while also challenging students to grow as a lifelong learners and leaders in the profession."

Dr. Beth Ann Clayton has been a CRNA for 30 years, a nurse anesthesia faculty member at UC for nearly that long and UC's program director for the past 10 years. She chose nurse anesthesia for the autonomy, professional respect and the ability to keep patients pain-free, manage their care during surgery, and even participate in the delivery of new life.

"The highlights of our program are many, including the variety and caliber of our clinical sites near campus and the support of 15 dedicated didactic and simulation faculty and over 90 committed clinical faculty."

Dr. Carolyn Smith is the director of UC’s Occupational Health Nursing BSN-DNP program. With over 25 years of nursing experience in hospital, community, and academic settings, her work—particularly on workplace violence—drives her passion for addressing the health needs of workers.

"Occupational health nurses have long served as employee health advocates and industry leaders. Our program builds on that legacy, preparing nurses to apply research-based evidence to design, implement and evaluate interventions that protect and promote employee health."

Dr. Robyn Stamm has been a nurse for 20 years and a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner for almost that long. Dual certified in both acute and primary care, she has served as full-time faculty at the University of Cincinnati since 2015. Her passion for pediatrics began as a student during her favorite clinical rotation, and she continues to find great fulfillment in caring for and connecting with children and their families.
Under Dr. Stamm’s leadership, the Pediatric Acute Care NP programs prepare nurses to thrive in fast-paced clinical settings and deliver comprehensive, family-centered care.

"This is an exciting time to advance your education as the role of the nurse practitioner expands to meet growing health care needs."

Dr. Lee Tyson is the director of the University of Cincinnati’s Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner programs and a proud alumnus of UC’s College of Nursing. With nearly two decades of experience as a practicing Psychiatric-Mental Health NP, Dr. Tyson remains actively engaged in clinical care as a psychiatric hospitalist and as the founder and owner of one of the largest nurse practitioner-owned psychiatric practices in Ohio.

"I’ve seen firsthand the transformational power of a strong academic foundation—and UC offers the clinical relevance, academic rigor and personal support you need to succeed.”

Dr. Tasha Turner-Bicknell brings nearly 20 years of nursing experience to her role as director of UC’s Public Health Nursing programs. Her background spans hospital-based medical/surgical care and community public health outreach, providing direct care to at-risk populations. With a foundation in cultural anthropology, she values the diversity of lived experiences and is deeply committed to equality, social justice and health care reform.

"Our programs prepare students with the leadership skills and population-based strategies needed to drive systemic change and lead in roles such as healthcare administrators, managers and public health project leaders."

Dr. Kathy Oliphant is the director of the Systems Leadership MSN and DNP programs at the UC College of Nursing. A graduate of the program she now leads, Dr. Oliphant is a certified Clinical Nurse Leader and Nurse Executive with extensive experience in clinical and administrative roles across a variety of healthcare settings. She is dedicated to fostering holistic care and supporting future nurse leaders as they prepare to meet the challenges of today's complex and evolving healthcare systems.

"Our programs prepare nurses with the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead effectively in diverse and evolving healthcare environments."