Nursing Faculty Member Honored as YWCA Woman of Achievement

Kay Olson, YWCA Honoree 2023

Each year the YWCA Spokane honors community leaders who have made significant contributions in the areas of business, education, health, and community service. One of this year’s honorees is Kay Olson, WSU College of Nursing faculty member and clinical lead for the college’s Public and Community Health courses.

Olson is a dedicated leader in the community and makes a significant impact in the field of nursing and health education. With the onset of COVID-19, Olson worked diligently alongside her students and volunteers at the health district, training and scheduling students and faculty vaccinators. She served as the preceptor at early Spokane vaccine clinics, then trained and supported new preceptors, students, and volunteers, allowing the city to keep up with the vaccination needs.

Olson’s existing relationships and history of collaboration with public health departments and health entities greatly influenced region’s the ability to respond quickly and help reduce the impact of the pandemic.  It’s estimated that her leadership in recruiting faculty and student vaccinators resulted in over 30,000 COVID-19 vaccines being administered across the region. Her dedication, goodwill, and impact on the community during the pandemic truly reflect the spirit of community health excellence.

Olson will be honored at YWCA Spokane’s 41st Annual Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony and Luncheon, held Thursday, March 9th, at the Davenport Grand, Spokane, WA, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

In the News…

Kay Olson was recently featured an article by the Spokesman-Review where she shared her story about returning to college to become a nurse.

She continued to work and eventually got married and had children, but she never lost sight of her goal to finish school. “I didn’t make it back to school until I was 42,” she said. “When my youngest went to school I thought, well, it’s my turn… [and] after graduating in 2007, Olson immediately started WSU’s master’s program in community health.”

Nina Culver, The Spokesman-Review

See select photos from the event:

120th Anniversary of the YWCA
Congratulations to the 2023 Women of Achievement Award Honorees
Kay Olson receiving her YWCA WOA award.
Kay Olson, Teaching Associate Professor, WSU College of Nursing, was honored as a Woman of Achievment with the YWCA Science, Technology and Environment Award.
Kay Olson displaying her YWCA Women of Achievement Award.
Kay Olson, Teaching Associate Professor, WSU College of Nursing.
Mary Koithan, Kay Olson, and Celestina Barbosa-Leiker
Mary Koithan, Dean, WSU College of Nursing; Kay Olson, Teaching Associate Professor; Celestina Barbosa-Leiker, Vice Chancellor for Research, WSU Health Sciences Spokane.
Kay Olson, Sarah Griffith, and Kay Olson's daughter.
Kay Olson and Sarah Griffith, Teaching Associate Professors, WSU College of Nursing.
Sarah Griffith, Cindy Brigham-Althoff, and Sue McFadden, Teaching Associate Professors, WSU College of Nursing. Sheila Hurst, Clinical Assistant Professor, WSU College of Nursing.
Sarah Griffith, Cindy Brigham-Althoff, and Sue McFadden, Teaching Associate Professors, WSU College of Nursing. Sheila Hurst, Clinical Assistant Professor, WSU College of Nursing.

View more photos from James & Kathy Mangis Photography