Roberta Feather

Roberta Feather grew up in the southern tradition of Raleigh North Carolina. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Science degree in psychiatric nursing, also at Chapel Hill. Following graduation, she accepted an academic faculty position at Duke University. At Duke she became the Director of Psychiatric Nursing Education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. During her tenure as a professor at Duke University, she was appointed as Director of Psychiatric Nursing at the Duke University Medical Center. While a faculty member she was a member of the University Faculty Senate and the University Curriculum Committee.

Dr. Feather moved to Providence in 1971 and continued her teaching career at the University of Rhode Island School of Nursing, retiring after thirty-five years as professor emeritus. During that time, she earned her doctoral degree from Boston University and her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Suffolk University Law School. Dr. Feather received an award of distinction and promotion to the rank of Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army for her leadership role in a NATO REFORGER mission. Dr. Feather has maintained successful private psychotherapy practice and is well-known and respected for her professional and educational accomplishments and her excellent clinical skills. Dr. Feather is highly respected for her work in the community, particularly in her commitment as a member of the board of directors of many nonprofit institutions including the Providence Center, the Rhode Island Council of Community Mental Health Centers, and the Butler Hospital Foundation Board. She also served on the State of Rhode Island Health Services Council.

At Butler Hospital, she has been a member of the Corporation, the Hospital’s Medical Matters Committee, and the Butler Foundation Board. She is the chairperson of the Hospital’s History Committee and is engaged in activities documenting the history of the Hospital. In recognition of her work at Butler Hospital, she was awarded the Butler Hospital Partner in Philanthropy, and she was honored as the first Corporation Member of the Year

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