Mary E. Krugman, RN, PhD, FAAN

Dr. Mary Krugman was a visionary leader in the development of strategies for nurse recruitment through a post-baccalaureate residency program and curriculum for new nurses. Her devotion to healthcare and nurse development as they entered healthcare provided a framework for hospital orientation for new nurses. She led UC Health, University of Colorado Hospital to be the first accredited nurse residency program in the world. Her program remains as a gold standard across the United States and the globe impacting thousands of hospitals worldwide.

Dr Krugman graduated from Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She pursued her passion further with a PhD in Higher Education at the University of Denver, graduating in 1989. Part of her nursing experience in Denver was teaching Lamaze childbirth classes at Rose Medical Center in 1970, she then was hired to work and develop a parent-centered OB service. In the 1980s Mary was a devoted mom to four sons. 

After Dr. Krugman graduated from DU, she was hired by Community College of Denver to lead the college’s nursing program to accreditation, she did that in two years. In 1992, Mary began working for the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) serving as Director of Nursing, Innovation, and Outcomes. During this time, she co-created the concept of a graduate nurse residency program – which was widely adopted across the country. This program oriented newly licensed nurses into hospitals. She was a mentor to thousands of nurses and colleagues before her retirement in 2015. In 2017, she served as Interim Dean of the University of Colorado Anschutz Media Campus College of Nursing. 

Mary was inducted into the American Academy of Nursing and received the Florence Nightingale Award for leadership as an Administrator, Educator, and researcher. In 2020 she received a University Medal from the University of Colorado Board of Regents recognizing her contributions as a positive impact on professional entry into practice and nurse retention at UCH and across the country. 

Dr. Krugman was an influence and leader in building relationships between administrators, hospitals and the recruitment and training of nursing staff. This leadership resulted in an accredited residency program adopted across the country. Her research and expertise in clinical career ladders, curriculum for graduate nurse residency programs, and Magnet hospital standard achievement made her a sought-after teacher and consultant to organizations nationally.