Lt. Col. Paulette Smith-Kimble bid farewell to the Army Nurse Corps after 27 years of service. The retiring senior military officer was honored with a retirement ceremony held at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Seagoville, Texas, on April 2, 2023.

During the ceremony, Smith-Kimble received numerous awards and accolades for her dedicated service to the Army Nurse Corps. Her achievements were praised by colleagues, family, and friends who attended the event. Awards came from far and wide, from the President of the United States, to the Texas State Governor, and also from many senior military leaders.

Smith-Kimble climbed the ranks from bedside clinical nurse all the way up to deputy commander of nursing. Before becoming a registered nurse, she was enlisted as a licensed vocational nurse. Smith-Kimble also earned every possible educational degree in the nursing profession, up to her doctorate of nursing practice degree. Her dedication to duty, intellect, leadership, and exceptional service will certainly be missed by the Army Nurse Corps.

As Smith-Kimble embarks on a new chapter in her life, she expressed gratitude to the Army Nurse Corps, her colleagues, and her family for their support throughout her career. Her retirement marks the end of a distinguished military service and the beginning of a new journey.