Dr. Thurkettle holds a BSN & PhD from Case Western Reserve University and a MS in Nursing from Ohio State University. She was initially a graduate of Grant Hospital School of Nursing in Columbus, OH.
She is a member of Epsilon Phi and Zeta Mu At Large of Sigma Theta Tau International. She serves on the Research Committee for Epsilon Phi Chapter and the Region 2 Coordinating Committee.
At the international level she serves on the Bylaws Committee (2009-2011) and the United Nations Advisory Council of Sigma Theta Tau International.
Her research interest is health behavior change. Her two recent studies examined: barriers and facilitators to adolescent physical activity; the relationship between cognitive maturity and readiness to use research evidence in clinical decision-making.