Tracy Koehler earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Baker University in 1998 and began her nursing career on a medical-surgical unit in Wichita, Kansas. After relocating to Visalia, California, she worked in intensive care before returning to Kansas, where she gained experience in intensive care, emergency nursing, post-anesthesia recovery services, and cardiac rehabilitation in Salina, Kansas. During this time, she also discovered her passion for nursing education while teaching in a local associate degree nursing program.
In 2009, Tracy moved to Overland Park, Kansas, where she continued her work in cardiac rehabilitation and taught in the practical nursing program at Johnson County Community College. Her commitment to nursing education led her to earn a Master of Science in Nursing Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University in 2018 and a Doctor of Nursing Education from The Ohio State University in 2025.
She joined Avila University in 2018, where she is honored to teach in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
Tracy brings a broad range of clinical experience in medical-surgical, intensive care, emergency, recovery, and cardiac rehabilitation nursing. Her teaching experience spans practical nursing (LPN), accelerated RN, and BSN programs, with an emphasis on medical-surgical nursing and evidence-based practice.
Her scholarly interests include peer tutoring, mentoring, and initiatives that promote student success and academic achievement.
Education
- BSN – Baker University
- MSN – MidAmerica Nazarene University
- DNE – The Ohio State University
- Doctor of Nursing Education – The Ohio State University
Awards
- Outstanding Community Service Award – Spring 2019
- Scholarly Achievement Award – Spring 2022
- Teaching Excellence Award – Spring 2025