Dr. Rose Mary Gee began her work at Georgia Southern as a Temporary Instructor at the School of Nursing in 1995. She later became a full-time instructor, and in 2006, she earned her Ph.D in Nursing Science from Emory University. Her dissertation research focused on the health of elders living in rural settings, and she conducted studies that investigated the relationship between physical activity and blood pressure.
“Rose Mary brought her excellent clinical abilities to her research as well as a devotion to cardiovascular disease prevention… Although it might have been easier for her to complete her research in a larger urban setting, her determination to make a difference in the community in which she lived was admirable,” wrote Sandra Dunbar, Dr. Gee’s academic and dissertation advisor while she studied at Emory University.
Co-graduate of the PhD program Lucia Gonzales remembers becoming acquainted with Dr. Gee after they, and another classmate, Anne Koci, found each other praying for a good grade on a major exam they had just taken.
“We became praying partners ever since our first year in 2000. We made great grades, with God’s help, in biostatistics and in the rest of our program,” Gonzales said.
The same year that Dr. Gee completed her PhD, she accepted an Assistant Professor position at Georgia Southern’s SON. She was responsible for designing, teaching, and evaluating courses such as Advanced Nursing Care of Adults, where she incorporated inpatient and simulation lab learning experiences into the curriculum.
“I designed and taught Pharmacology and Integrative Therapeutics I and II, two of the most challenging courses at the junior level,” Dr. Gee shared.
In 2016, she achieved the rank of Associate Professor, a role that she still serves today. As she is nearing her retirement, Dr. Gee reflects on how the University, the Waters College of Health Professions, and the SON have changed over time and experienced ‘tremendous growth’.
“There is something special about our university. We have a beautiful campus, faculty and staff that offer warmth and hospitality to visitors and co-workers, and an amazing collaboration with community agencies,” Dr. Gee said. “Thank you for the opportunity to provide nursing education service to such an amazing institution of higher education.”
Please extend your warmest appreciation and congratulations to Dr. Rose Mary Gee of the Georgia Southern University School of Nursing, for her important work in community health research, and her dedication of nearly 30 years to the education of future nurses.