Kathryn Penn, MSN, FNP-BC, ENP-C

Kathryn Penn has built a career defined by resilience, clinical excellence, and an unwavering commitment to emergency medicine. With a decade of nursing experience, including four years as a nurse practitioner, she currently serves as a dual-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Emergency Nurse Practitioner at Eskenazi Health, one of Indianapolis’ busiest Level 1 trauma centers. Working across both the emergency department and observation unit, Penn provides high-acuity care to patients facing urgent and complex medical conditions, often operating with significant clinical autonomy in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

Penn’s passion for healthcare began during high school through her involvement in HOSA, where she first discovered her interest in medicine and patient care. Although she initially considered veterinary medicine, she quickly realized nursing was the path that best aligned with her strengths and desire to make a direct impact on people’s lives. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Mississippi University for Women, where she also served as Vice President of the Student Nurses Association, she continued her education at University of South Alabama, earning a Master of Science degree in the dual FNP/ENP program. Her clinical background spans emergency medicine, intensive care, telemetry, family medicine, and travel nursing, experiences that have shaped her comprehensive and adaptable approach to patient care.

Throughout her career, Penn has been driven by a passion for emergency medicine and a deep commitment to serving vulnerable populations. She credits influential mentors and personal experiences with helping shape her growth from bedside nurse to advanced practice provider. At Eskenazi Health, she has found a professional home where she is empowered to provide compassionate, community-focused care while continuing to expand her clinical expertise. Her ability to thrive in high-acuity settings, combined with her calm decision-making and patient-centered approach, has earned her respect among colleagues and patients alike.

One of Penn’s strongest professional passions is addiction medicine, an area she has become increasingly dedicated to after witnessing the devastating effects of the opioid crisis throughout her career. Recognizing critical gaps in access to treatment during nights and weekends, she is actively helping develop a specialized addiction medicine initiative within the emergency department and observation unit at Eskenazi Health. Her goal is to improve continuity of care and ensure patients struggling with substance use disorders receive timely intervention and support whenever they are ready to seek help. Through her leadership, advocacy, and commitment to compassionate care, Penn represents a new generation of nurse practitioners working to advance both emergency medicine and meaningful systemic change within healthcare.

• B.S. in Nursing - Mississippi University for Women
• M.S. in Nursing - University of South Alabama

• Family Medicine Practitioner (FMP)
• Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP)