Spring 08
Vol. 15/ No. 1

Citation of Merit

Martha (Underwood) Barnard
BSN 1966

In 1966, Martha (Underwood) Barnard ventured from the School and into the nursing profession in search of her niche, and she's never looked back. She has become a pioneer in addressing psychosocial issues affecting children with chronic diseases such as diabetes.

Barnard has the rare ability to combine her knowledge of the mind and body in regards to treating children with challenging medical and psychological problems. Early in her career, she recognized that adherence to medical regimens was a significant contributor to the success or failure of medical treatments. So upon obtaining her PhD in developmental and child psychology, she integrated her nursing knowledge with her clinical psychology skills to address the medical and psychosocial needs of chronically ill children and adolescents.

“Simply put, Martye is a superb clinician,” says Michael Rapoff, the Ralph L. Smith Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Kansas Medical Center. “She is the best therapist and nurse practitioner I have ever had the privilege of working with. Physicians and other psychologists often refer their more difficult patients to her in recognition of her consummate skills in diagnosing and treating patients.”

As a clinical instructor, she has supervised scores of graduate students in nursing and psychology who have all benefited greatly from observing her exceptional clinical skills. She often helps those she works with by encouraging them to think outside the box when contemplating complex clinical cases.

In fact, as the senior faculty member at the University of Kansas Medical Center she is often sought out for her advice concerning difficult situations. Co-workers and peers know they can find her working at all hours of the day due to her high case load. In part, this is because of the great demand for her services but in large part it is due to her passion for providing care for children and their families.

She is also known for her superior classroom skills. She teaches courses in anatomy and physiology applications in mental health and palliative care. Barnard also teaches courses in the medical school.

“I teach medical students, residents and medical fellows,” Barnard says,
“and I feel it is important that a nursing perspective is incorporated in medical education.”

“Martye integrates compassion, nursing skills and psychological skills in her training methodology,” says Marilyn Thomas, executive director of the Kansas City House of Hope. “Although some people of her reputation may seem unapproachable, Martye has a compassionate spirit that is constantly giving back to her fellow man. She treats each person with unconditional positive regard.”

She was given her first opportunity in nursing through her education at the University of Missouri , yet she continues to grow professionally. What Barnard has chosen to do with her education makes her the outstanding alumnus she is today.