A native of Memphis, Judy Carbage Martin is following her life verse—Luke 12:48 (“…For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more”)—in her life calling as a professional nurse.

“I chose nursing as a profession during early childhood. Influenced by others who were pursuing other professions, I strayed but did not find satisfaction in my career preparation until junior year when I returned to the nursing career path. By that point in my development, I was convinced I would enjoy a wonderful career in nursing, yet I never dreamed that I would be blessed with such vast career opportunities that would support accomplishment of my dreams…from becoming a public health specialist, to a nurse practitioner, to an educator, to an executive,” says Dr. Martin.

Dr. Martin’s earned a nursing diploma from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing; a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis; and a master’s degree in public health nursing, a certificate in primary care nursing, and a Ph.D. From UTHSC. She holds the distinction of being the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in nursing from a Tennessee university.

While Dr. Martin’s practice experience includes service as a medical-surgical nurse for four years and a family nurse practitioner since 1990, she was blessed with the opportunity to provide primary care for underserved populations. She considers her most satisfying practice experience, however, the development of the “Silver Stars Clinic” at the Health Loop–Mid-South Clinic where she promoted optimal health in older adults with varied chronic conditions. This work earned her the Tennessee Nurses Association Council on Gerontology and Long Term Care Nurse Award in November 2000.

Dr. Martin’s contributions to the educational development of nurses at all levels of the profession are vast, first serving as instructor in the diploma program at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing and later advancing to the level of tenured associate professor with experience in teaching at BSN, MSN, Ph.D., and post-doctoral levels at the UTHSC colleges of Nursing and Graduate Health Sciences.

Honors for her work as an educator include the Celebrate Nursing Award, UTHSC’s Golden Apple Award, and the SGAEC Faculty Excellence Award. Additionally, she has been recognized among Who’s Who for several organizations. In 2003, she was recruited as the chief of nursing at the Shelby County Health Department while serving as adjunct associate professor for UTHSC’s College of Graduate Health Sciences. Dr. Martin was the first African American ever appointed to this position, and she has been reappointed by two Shelby County mayors.

Throughout her fruitful career, Dr. Martin has been the first to acknowledge that the opportunities she has enjoyed were made possible by those who preceded her, and this perspective motivates her to devote much of her professional and personal time to providing service to others in need.

“I was given the gift of opportunity in nursing, and I have done all within in my power to demonstrate that I am deserving and appreciative,” Dr. Martin said. “More importantly, I understand the importance of passing it on! I must serve others in order to feel that I am giving at least a portion of what is required of me and to share my blessings.

“Through mentoring high school and undergraduate students with interest in a health sciences profession, I hope to provide guidance needed to help them appreciate and maximize opportunities that cross their paths and then to share it with someone coming along behind them as well.”

Dr. Martin is married to her best friend, Willie Martin, and they have two adult children, Julia Martin Steed (a nursing Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University, and wife of Ronald) and William, III (master’s-prepared Certified Public Accountant), and one grand-daughter, Olivia Marie.