Long-serving College of Nursing Dean Michael Carter’s pivotal guidance established the University of Tennessee Health Science Center’s reputation for nurse leadership.
Known for his advocacy of advanced practice nursing, Michael Carter, DNSc, DNP, FAAN, FNP/GNP-BC, served as dean of the College of Nursing from 1982 to 2000. He died on June 17 at the age of 78.
During Dr. Carter’s time as dean, the PhD in Nursing Science was established – the first in the state. The Doctor of Nursing Science (DNSc), which was established in 1999, became a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2005 – the first DNP in Tennessee and the second in the U.S.
“Dr. Carter was a pioneering leader who instilled in our college and our profession the need to be cutting edge and visionary,” said Dean Wendy Likes, PhD, DNSc, APRN-BC, FAAN, FAANP. “His addition of the PhD program and the DNSc (eventually changing to the DNP) brought the foundation for nursing leadership and nursing scientific discovery to the South and the state of Tennessee. This was instrumental in developing our reputation and influence in health care for the communities we serve.”
Dr. Carter grew up in southern Missouri and moved to Arkansas for college. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in 1969, Dr. Carter in 1973 was part of the first class of graduates from the university’s Master of Nursing Science program. He earned a Doctor of Nursing Science from Boston University and his Doctor of Nursing Practice from UT Health Science Center. Dr. Carter also served in the Army Nurse Corps from 1968-1971 during the Vietnam War.
Dr. Carter was an early proponent of faculty practice and the DNP, and he was a staunch advocate for advanced practice nursing, full practice authority, and nursing research. He mentored students at all levels of development over many decades. He retired briefly but soon returned to teaching and continued teaching until very recently.
“Dr. Carter paved the way for the culture in which our college continues to thrive and innovate – continuing the legacy he created,” Dr. Likes said.
Professor Mona Wicks, PhD, RN, FAAN, said, “Michael was a transformative, innovative, and resolute leader who unwaveringly believed in people’s potential, regardless of their background and circumstances. He believed in asking for forgiveness, rather than permission, to open doors to advance ideas, initiatives, and people. And more often than not, he was right about these efforts.” Dr. Wicks is chair of the Department of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
Dr. Carter was very involved in the Frontier Nursing University Board of Directors. He served as chair of the board from 2009 to April 2025. Frontier Nursing University was founded in 1939 as the Frontier Graduate School of Midwifery by the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS), a group of nurses and nurse-midwives who served rural areas of Kentucky dating back to 1925.
Dr. Carter’s contributions also extended to his work in Australia, where he promoted advanced practice nursing. Because of these efforts, Dr. Carter was named an Australian College of Nurse Practitioners Fellow for his contributions to promoting advanced practice nursing.
Dr. Carter’s many awards and honors include being selected as an American Academy of Nursing Fellow in 1982 and as a National Academies of Practice Distinguished Practitioner in 1985. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties in 2015 and a Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee Nurses Association in 2018.
Those who would like to contribute to a fund in honor of Dr. Carter’s legacy may do so by donating to the Michael A. Carter Professorship in Nursing Practice at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Nursing at giving.uthsc.edu/carter.