Martha Elizabeth Kuhlmann, DNP, FNP, LNC, PMHCNS-BC, has dedicated more than 40 years to the field of nursing, specializing in psychiatric nursing, sleep disorders, and mental health. Her career culminated with her role as a general mental health and psychiatric-mental health nurse with the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System from 2013 to 2021. During this time, she was recognized for her commitment to patient care and her contributions to clinical practice guidelines for sleep apnea and insomnia.
Prior to her retirement, Dr. Kuhlmann served as the administrative director of nursing at the Union Memorial Hospital from 1981 to 2019, where her leadership and dedication were instrumental in shaping the hospital’s nursing practices. She also held a position as a clinical assistant professor and specialty coordinator for family psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners at the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences College of Nursing from 2008 to 2013.
Dr. Kuhlmann’s entrepreneurial spirit led her to launch Associates in HealthCare, where she found success as the chief executive officer and family nurse practitioner from 1998 to 2008. Her work as a legal nurse consultant during this period was impeccable, having won all her cases. Earlier in her career, she contributed significantly as a risk manager, quality assurance liaison, and family nurse practitioner at the Robert Dole Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center from 1991 to 1998. Among her professional achievements, she was responsible for developing the first diabetes patient education program for Memphis Methodist Hospital.
Upon accepting her role at Union Memorial Hospital, Dr. Kuhlmann continued branching out in her professional journey, working as an assistant administrator and director of nursing and patient care services at Fredonia Regional Hospital from 1986 to 1998 and in the same capacity at Sisters of St. Joseph Halstead Hospital from 1988 to 1990. She has been an active member of the Georgia Nurses Association and was a past member of Sigma Theta Tau, reflecting her commitment to advancing the nursing profession.
Laying a strong academic foundation for her accomplishments, Dr. Kuhlmann completed pre-nursing studies at the University of Arkansas in 1972, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1975, a Master of Science in Nursing from Wichita State University in 1995, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice as a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2014. Dr. Kuhlmann’s certifications include being a registered nurse through the Kansas State Board of Nursing since 2018, a family nurse practitioner with advanced practice registered nurses since 2018, and being board-certified as a psychiatric mental health clinical nurse specialist by the American Nurses Credentialing Center since 2015.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Kuhlmann has co-authored two textbooks on advanced family nurse practitioners, further demonstrating her expertise and impact on her field. She is a five-time recipient of the CARE Award from the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Health Care System, recognizing her exceptional contributions to patient care.
Dr. Kuhlmann attributes her success to her insatiable thirst for knowledge. She is constantly seeking new skills and has repeatedly returned to school to expand her expertise, noting that her unrelenting drive for growth and development has been a key factor in her success. Looking to the future, she envisions working part-time as a legal nurse consultant, leveraging her expertise to resolve complex cases related to health care. Dr. Kuhlmann also hopes to mentor new generations of nurses, instilling pride and accomplishment in their profession. Although she chose not to renew her nursing license upon retirement, she remains interested in pursuing legal consulting and teaching opportunities within nursing.