Kay Perrin, PhD: A Life of Dedication, Adventure, and Lifelong Learning

Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Kay Perrin’s life has been marked by her academic achievements, professional success, and global adventures. After graduating with her nursing degree, Kay went on to work as a full-time nurse. However, after over a decade in this field, she repivoted her life in a new direction, enrolling at the University of South Florida (USF) in her 40’s. There she earned her Master’s and PhD in Public Health, then continued on at USF as a faculty member for 26 years, where she rose to the position of Associate Dean of Public Health.

While employed at USF, Kay worked to further public health education at a local and international level. Her work abroad most notably included a six-month trip to Pune, India, where she taught nursing and supervised student rotations as a Fulbright Scholar. By the time of her retirement, Kay had authored five public health textbooks and helped create Florida’s first undergraduate Public Health degree at USF.

Following her retirement, Kay has begun channeling her energy and creativity into new outlets. She adores spending time with her two sons, Scott and Andrew, as well as her five grandchildren and two dogs. In her free time, Kay takes comedy classes and has begun writing historical fiction, with her debut novel “The Spinster That I Once Knew” representing what she hopes will be the first of many works.