Sharon Outlaw, RN, BSN, CCRN-CSC, has been with UofL Health for 32 years working as a nurse in the CVICU/open heart recovery unit with UofL Health – Heart Hospital.
Sharon is responsible for the immediate post-operative care of patients who have had open heart surgery, a heart transplant, a lung transplant or a ventricular assist device (VAD) implant. She also assists in teaching the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) class and serves on the ECMO care team committee.
While there are lots of things to love about UofL Health, Sharon’s favorite is how the organization is committed to providing evidence-based care and research opportunities to our patients.
“Many of our providers do research on new cardiac devices and treatments and my unit is able to assist with the research,” Sharon explained. “We are also thoroughly trained on the newest, most complex cardiac and renal devices and drugs.”
Sharon also loves the fact that her daughter, Abby, recently joined UofL Health as a personal care assistant and works in the same unit as Sharon. Abby is one of many team members who are taking advantage of free tuition at University of Louisville. She is currently working toward her bachelor of science in nursing.
Sharon’s goal for UofL Health is to expand into surrounding counties so that those residents have access to critical care. As a personal goal, she strives to provide competent care to her patients and treat them and their families as she would like to be treated.
Sharon was born and raised in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. She attended Hopkinsville High School where she was involved with the school band, National Beta Club and National Honors Society. Did you know Sharon played the flute and piccolo in her high school band? She was also a part of the color guard rifle team.
After high school, Sharon traveled to Murray, Kentucky, to attend Murray State University.
Even in Sharon’s free time, she is still giving back to her community through volunteering. She is a member of the health care committee at St. Matthews Baptist Church and has completed mission trips to Lynch, Kentucky, where she helps provide free medical care to underserved people as well as assisted the American Red Cross with blood drives at her church.
Do you have a favorite vacation spot? Make sure you talk to Sharon! She enjoys going on vacation with her husband, daughters and granddaughters. They especially enjoy cruises and any trip that involves a zipline.
If you see Sharon at Heart Hospital, be sure to say “hello” and ask about her latest vacation plans, she would love to get to know you!
