Celebrating lives and contributions
In honoring the careers of Susan Outen and Dr. Jean Davis, we celebrate two remarkable leaders who dedicated their lives to advancing nursing, mentoring future generations, and enriching their communities.
Susan Outen
Susan Outen devoted 29 years to Kershaw County Medical Center (KCMC), where she began as a nurse tech during her summer break between her junior and senior year at the University of South Carolina. She rose through the ranks to serve as Chief Nursing Officer for her last 18 years with KCMC and also dedicated over a decade to the South Carolina Hospital Association.
Since 2014, Susan was a valuable part of the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, serving as the Action Coalition Coordinator for the South Carolina Center for Nursing Leadership. Her commitment to community was evident in her six years on the board of The United Way of Kershaw County, where she served as board chair and continued to contribute through its Health Care Council, guiding health care priorities and funding decisions.
Susan was known for her unmatched kindness, compassion, and spirit of service. Her warmth and genuine care for others left a lasting impact on everyone she encountered. With a big laugh and a cheerful “Well hey!” she lit up every room.
Jean Davis
Dr. Jean Davis, a distinguished nurse and researcher, began her career with a BSN from Michigan State University, followed by an MSN from Hunter College in New York City. She earned her PhD in Clinical Nursing Research with a specialization in Physiology and Neurophysiology from the University of Arizona, Tucson.
Dr. Davis's career started as an RN at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, after which she transitioned to academia, teaching in the California University system and later becoming Associate Dean and Director of Research Labs at Wayne State University. In 2015, she joined the Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College in St. Louis as a professor, Senior Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the PhD Program.
In 2019, Dr. Davis joined the University of South Carolina’s College of Nursing as the PhD Program Director, where she was deeply committed to teaching and mentoring her students. A leading nurse scientist focused on sleep research, Dr. Davis was awarded numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health and other prestigious organizations. She was a respected member of professional associations, including FAAN, FNINR, and AASM, and throughout her career received numerous honors for her contributions to nursing science.