As part of the rotating ‘Nancy Nelson – Women in Medicine’ exhibit series, which highlights significant women in healthcare and medicine, the Strauss Health Sciences Library proudly presents its latest exhibit honoring the late Dr. Mary E. Krugman.
Mary Elizabeth Kerber was born on October 11, 1943, in Evanston, Illinois. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Skidmore College in 1965 and a Master of Arts in Nursing from New York University in 1968. During her time at NYU, she met future husband, Dr. Richard Krugman, in an elevator—an encounter that led to a loving, lifelong partnership and a move to Denver, Colorado, where together they raised four sons.
Upon relocating to Denver, Mary began teaching at the University of Colorado College of Nursing and later co-directed the Parent Education Program at Rose Medical Center. In 1989 she earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Denver and subsequently became Director of Nursing Programs at the Community College of Denver, where she successfully led the program through accreditation in only two years.
From 1992 to 2015, Dr. Krugman held several key roles at the University of Colorado Hospital, including Director of Professional Resources, Director of the General Clinical Research Center, and Director of Nursing Innovation and Outcomes. She also served as an Adjunct Associate Professor at the College of Nursing. Her leadership was instrumental in the development and national adoption of the UEXCEL clinical career ladder and the Vizient/AACN Nurse Residency Program, both of which transformed professional development and retention in nursing nationwide.
Dr. Krugman was widely recognized for her contributions to the field of nursing and received numerous awards throughout her career. Among the most notable honors were the University of Colorado Board of Regents University Medal, the University of Colorado Hospital President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership, the Nightingale Award for Nursing Excellence, and the 2015 Lifetime Award for Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Leadership.
A prolific scholar and mentor, she authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications and guided countless nurses, educators, and healthcare leaders in their careers. Even after her retirement in 2015, she continued to serve the profession, stepping in as Interim Dean of the University of Colorado College of Nursing in 2017.
Dr. Krugman passed away in 2023, leaving behind a legacy of excellence, innovation, and compassion. In recognition of her lifetime of achievements, Mary was posthumously inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame in 2025 and two endowed scholarships have been established in her name: The Endowed Fund for Nursing Quality, Practice and Outcomes Education and The Endowed Nursing Research Fellowship.
To learn more about Dr. Mary E. Krugman, please visit the library’s new exhibit currently on display on the first floor of the Strauss Health Sciences Library. For questions regarding the exhibit please contact Wendy Kisicki by email at wendy.kisicki@cuanschutz.edu.