From physical risk to psychological strain, the COVID-19 pandemic has weighed heavily on our nation’s health care workforce for more than 2½ years.

Patrick Robinson, president of the Kansas City area’s largest and longest running, single-purpose nursing institution, Research College of Nursing, examines those burdens and the ongoing impact of the outbreak on frontline medical staff – nurses in particular. Public support surged early on, but many individuals didn’t back it with such preventative measures as wearing masks and vaccinating. Nurses now have more agency in the workplace and respect from colleagues and the public. But their workloads rose absurdly, along with stress, burnout, and concerns about mental health.

Robinson is joined in the discussion by a panel of nurses who have served on the pandemic's front lines.

The event coincides with the Library exhibit Called to Care: Legacy of Trinity Lutheran Hospital School of Nursing, 1906-1972. On display at the Central Library through December 2, 2022, it illuminates the progression of the nursing profession at a time when its importance is more apparent than ever.

Robinson took the helm of Research College of Nursing in June after serving nearly two years as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Arizona College in Phoenix. He holds a Ph.D. in nursing science from Loyola University Chicago and completed a post-doctoral fellowship in biobehavioral nursing research at the University of Illinois Chicago.

Prior to his more than two-decade career in academics, Robinson held numerous positions as an HIV/AIDS clinician and administrative leader.