It is with great sadness that I announce the loss of one of our ACC cardiovascular team leaders, professors and mentors, Kay Blum, PHD, CRNP. Dr. Blum was not only a role model to all Cardiovascular (CV) Team members, she was also my mentor, and as such, I would like to pay tribute to her life. Her loss will be felt not only in the ACC community but by her family, friends, coworkers and students.

Dr. Blum started her career as a military nurse in the Army Nurse Cadet Corps-Baylor University in 1969. She went on to serve as a first lieutenant in the active duty Army Corps until 1974. She also served as a captain in the Army Reserve until 1979.

Education was very important to her; Dr. Blum eventually obtained her PhD in nursing. Dr. Blum was both a clinical nurse specialist and an acute care nurse practitioner. Dr. Blum was also a professor and maintained her nursing practice as well. She was a much sought-after speaker and has been published over 30 times in different forms. Her contributions to the ACC are too numerous to list them all. However, I will share some of the important ones. Dr. Blum was one of the first CV Team members of the ACC and served as the first CV Team liaison for Maryland in 2004. Subsequently, she served as co-chair for the CV Team Section Practice Outcomes and Research Work Group, as well as served on many different ACC and CV Team councils and committees.

Dr. Blum was a role model for future generations. She was a tireless advocate for her profession, peers and her patients. I will always remember her as  my friend, Kay. Rest in peace my friend.

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This article was authored by Deborah S. Croy, DNP, RN, ANP-BC, AACC.

Clinical Topics: Cardiovascular Care Team, Geriatric Cardiology

Keywords: Geriatrics, Leadership, Mentors, Military Personnel, Nurse Clinicians, Nurse Practitioners, Research

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