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About the Kingfisher Institute

About the Institute

Beginnings

The Kingfisher Institute was approved in 2018, after more than two years of foundational work by faculty and administrators as part of the University-wide strategic planning process. January 2019 marked the official inauguration.

Offices are housed in the state-of-the-art School of Dentistry building. This represents the relationship between the professions and the humanities at Creighton.

The Institute will continue to expand as a center of excellence through aphased approach, which will incorporate feedback from the campus community on ways to best achieve the vision.

Inspiration

The Kingfisher Institute is inspired by the Gerard Manley Hopkins poem, "As Kingfishers Catch Fire," which Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, highlighted in his inaugural presidential address. In doing so, Father Hendrickson challenged all members of the Creighton community to exemplify their own humanity by seeking magis, or more, and doing justice.

Faculty and Staff

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Tracy Neal Leavelle
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Charise Alexander Adams (brown-haired white female with glasses): headshot
Tracy Leavelle, PhD
Director
402.280.2652
Charise Alexander Adams
Program Manager
402.280.5169

Guiding Us in Our Mission

We’re thankful to the members of the Kingfisher Advisory Council for their insights and guidance. Their thoughtful perspectives help us move in the direction of our mission.

Current Members

Patrick Murray, PhD
Professor of Philosophy, John C. Kenefick Faculty Chair in the Humanities
Margo Minnich, DNP
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing
Rachel Mindrup, MFA
Resident Assistant Professor, Fine and Performing Arts, Richard L. Deming Endowed Chair in Medical Humanities
Audel Salazar, BA'16, MA'17
Instructional Designer, Center for Faculty Excellence
LaShaune Johnson, PhD
Associate Professor, Graduate School (MPH program) and Associate Director, Creighton at Highlander
Richard L. Deming, MD’80
Physician, Medical Director of Mercy Cancer Center (Des Moines, IA)
Taylor Keen
Heider College of Business Instructor

Kirk Peck, PT, PhD, CSCS, CCRT, CERP
Chair, Physical Therapy, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

Ayushi Kaul
Creighton University School of Medicine student
Lizzy Curran
Associate Director, Study Abroad and Special Global Programs, Global Engagement Office
Sarah Singletary Walker, PhD
Professor of Management, Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Janique Hayes, MPA
Assistant Director, Mission and Ministry and Institutional Diversity and Inclusion
Nicole Piemonte, PhD
Assistant Professor; Assistant Dean, School of Medicine (Phoenix)
Gaige Ash
Heider College of Business Student, Economics BSBA Anticipated 2023
Fr. Kevin FitzGerald, SJ, PhD, PhD
John A. Creighton Chair, School of Medicine; Interim Dean, Graduate School
Annabel Huxtable
College of Nursing Student, Anticipated 2025
Christine Keith, DDS
Assistant Professor, General Dentistry, School of Dentistry
Joy Doll, OT, OTD
Program Director, Health Informations

 

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