Kimberly Tharp-Barrie is the System Vice President for the Institute for Education & Development and the interim System Chief Nursing Officer for Norton Healthcare.

Dr. Tharp-Barrie is a leader in the advancement of nursing practice in clinical and academic healthcare settings. She developed the Institute for Education and Development (formerly the Institute for Nursing) for Norton Healthcare. The Institute is a unique model for leadership development, nursing practice, community outreach, research and innovation. Recognized nationally, the Institute was designated as a Center of Excellence by the National League for Nursing since 2013, and was reaccredited in 2022. She has been instrumental in the creation of academic-practice partnerships and practice initiative models for DNP’s resulting in the successful integration of advanced providers in the patient-care model for Norton. Under her leadership, Norton created a system education model resulting in improved competency and academic progression of nursing. Her research and leadership is also focused on resilience and domestic violence survivorship. Additionally, she is an adjunct professor for the University of Kentucky, College of Nursing, serves on many boards and is a national speaker.

Dr. Tharp-Barrie received her MS in Nursing Administration from Bellarmine University and DNP from Rush University.