After what Peninsula College officials call an extensive search, Alana Ludwick has been selected as the school’s Director of Nursing.

It was a full circle moment for both Ludwick and the college: a Sequim native, Ludwick began her college journey at PC as a Running Start student and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in 2000.

Ludwick holds a Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Vanderbilt University.

The majority of her nursing career has focused on family and community health with expertise in palliative nursing. The goal of palliative care is to provide specialized medical care for people with serious illnesses. It focuses on providing patients with relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness.

Ludwick served as a clinical preceptor in both nursing and medicine for the past nine years. She gained teaching experience during a two-year stint with the inpatient Palliative Care Service through the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center. In addition, she served as a student project advisor for Gonzaga University’s Community Health course within the RN to MSN program and has worked as an adjunct instructor in nursing for Vanderbilt University since 2013.

Ludwick brings administrative and management experience from running her own private practice and being the sole medical provider at a levy-funded, school-based clinic through Group Health’s charitable foundation.

She is a member of the University of Washington Palliative Care Center of Excellence and has served as a member and co-chair on the Harborview Medical Center Palliative Care Committee.

Additionally, Ludwick worked with Group Health to establish a new school-based health center from the ground up, including consulting on the remodel process, ordering all new equipment, pharmacy and clinic accreditation, establishing clinical procedures, hiring staff and networking with community stakeholders.

Ludwick joined the college Jan. 4 and was formally introduced at the Jan. 11 President’s meeting.

For more information, contact Kelly Griffith at kgriffith@pencol.edu.