Dee Blakney, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, ACNP-BC, a dedicated nurse practitioner and member of the College of Nursing’s Alumni Board, passed away on July 31, 2024, at age 60, following a battle with cancer.

Dr. Blakney was deeply committed to expanding health care access for rural patients; in 2005, she became co-owner of Michie Healthcare in McNairy County, and in 2009, she opened Whiteville Family Medical Clinic in Hardeman County. Her passion and service were recognized in 2021 when the Rural Health Association of Tennessee named her Rural Practitioner of the Year.

She was a committed preceptor for family nurse practitioner students. A student once wrote, “Dee taught me so much not just about patient care but taking the hard cases, doing a lot with a little, and anything and everything about caring for vulnerable populations you don’t read about in a textbook.”

Dr. Blakney obtained her nursing diploma (RN) from the Methodist Hospital School of Nursing in 1989. She began working as a staff nurse in the ICU and ER in the Methodist Hospital System and went on to be the Director of the Certified Nursing Assistant  Department. She later became the assistant director of Nursing supervisor private services at Baptist Trinity.

She went back to school to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Memphis in 1998 and her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from UT Health Science Center College of Nursing. She was certified as a Family Nurse Practitioner in 1999 and began working in private practice and making rounds in long term care facilities.

Dr. Blakney obtained her certification as an Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) in 2005 and earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2007 from UT Health Science Center.

Providing affordable and quality health care to an under-served area led her to not only develop a relationship with a patient but with their whole family. Dr. Blakney made efforts to visit patients’ homes if they were unable to come to the clinic. She celebrated good fortune and grieved with families during hard times.  She always hoped that her enthusiasm and love for people would show in her daily life.

Dr. Blakney received many awards and appointments throughout her career, including UT Sigma Theta Tau National Nursing Honor Society, University of Memphis Nursing Leadership Award, Methodist Hospital Shining Star, and Top 11 in Nursing in Shelby and Fayette County “Celebrate Nursing Program.” 

Dr. Blakney was a committee member of the Tennessee Nurses Association task force for full practice authority and was a preceptor for UT Health Science Center, University of Memphis, Union University, and Chatham University.  A scholarship to help future nurse practitioner students at the UT Health Science Center College of Nursing has been started in her honor. To donate, please go to giving.uthsc.edu/blakney