Directory of Our Exceptional
Faculty and Staff

Education
BSN, Nebraska Methodist College
MSN-Nursing Education, Nebraska Methodist College
DNP-Doctorate of Nursing Practice- Public Health Policy, Nebraska Methodist College

General Background
Dr. Kiley Petersmith is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Doctoral Public Health Policy Program at Nebraska Methodist College. She brings extensive expertise as a pediatric, emergency, and public health nurse and educator. In her faculty role, Dr. Petersmith teaches, mentors and prepares future healthcare leaders to advance health equity through policy, practice, and advocacy.
She is adept at relationship-building, having previously directed the strategic vision of the Center for Community Engagement at NMC, where she coordinated meaningful and mutually beneficial community partnerships to promote equitable health and cultivate active citizen leaders in healthcare. Dr. Petersmith has also developed and overseen mobile health programs that deliver free healthcare to individuals where they live, work, play, pray, and learn.
Her leadership extends across multiple initiatives, including securing and managing grant-funded and donor-supported projects, serving as on the Nebraska State Lead Advisory Group and other health advisory boards in the Omaha Metro, and publishing and presenting widely on pediatric health equity, lead prevention, and environmental health. She has served as a Board Member of Healthy Housing Omaha, chair of Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Practice committe, co-led Nebraska’s Nursing Action Coalition, and completed the nationally recognized Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments fellowship, contributing to policy and leadership initiatives that improve social and environmental conditions.
Dr. Petersmith’s honors—including the March of Dimes Public Health Nursing Hero Award, the Heart of Healthcare Award, and recognition as a 40 Under 40 leader—reflect her enduring commitment to advancing health in vulnerable populations.

Notable Publications/Presentations
American Public Health Association Conference Poster Presenter. (2025). Washington, D.C.

AgeWise Cultural Humility Presentation. (2025). Nebraska Methodist Health System. Omaha, NE

Public Health Policy Panel Presenter. (2025). Open Sky Policy Institute. Lincoln, NE

Josie Gets A Lead Test. (2025). – Author. Unite for Literacy Publication

Pediatric Population Health: A Wellness Approach. (2023). – Contributing Author

Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Fellowship-ANHE 2019

DNP Evidence-Based Project: Determinant of Health and Developmental Milestone Screening among Children in Homeless Shelter-Nebraska Methodist College Fall 2020-Spring 2021

Nurse’s Role in Environmental Health. (2024). – Sigma Theta Tau, Nebraska Methodist College, Omaha, NE

Health Equity Impacts of Our Built Environment. (2023). Midwest Multistate Division Health Policy Conference- Omaha, NE

Health Equity Impacts of Our Built Environment. (2023). Research Day, Nebraska Methodist Hospital- Omaha, NE

Cancer and the Built Environment. (2023). A Time To Heal Conference- Omaha, NE. 

Getting Started with Co-Curricular Assessment. (2023). Higher Learning Commission Conference-Chicago. 

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Series: Understanding Systemic Bias Impact on Population Health. (2023). Nebraska Methodist College

Promoting Health Equity Through Education and Community Engagement. (2022). Nebraska Methodist College

Service and Community Engagement. (2022). Nebraska Methodist College

Poverty Simulation Presentation (2021). Nebraska Methodist College

Omaha Lead Superfund Environmental Injustice. (2021). Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments. 

Midwest Misfits Podcast. (2021). Omaha, NE

Homelessness and Incarceration: A Healthcare Problem presenter. (2021). Open Door Mission-Omaha, NE 

Childhood Lead Exposure Prevention Webinar presenter (2020)-Nebraska Methodist College-Omaha, NE

Professional Service/Recognition/Charitable Boards
Charitable Boards/Professional Service
Transformational Leadership Certification- Inclusive Communities 2024
Climate + Health Peer Learning Circle – Climate Advocacy Lab 2024
Charitable Boards/Professional Service
Executive Board Member of Healthy Housing Omaha
Board member of Nebraska Childhood Lead Prevention Advisory Group
Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Fellow
Omaha Public Schools Service Advisory Board Member
Millard Public Schools Service Advisory Board Member 

Recognition
2024 Heart of Healthcare Award- Omaha World Herald
2022 NMC Alumni Horizon Award Recipient
March of Dimes Public Health Nursing Hero Award
40 Under 40 Recipient
Champions of Change Community Partnership Award
Making a Difference Award-Omaha Housing Authority
Caroline Scott Spirit of Excellence Award