Dr. Kennedy is Professor of Nursing, and Associate Dean for Academic & Curriculum Affairs. With a clinical practice background in high risk and critical care obstetrics, she joined the faculty in 1993. She has taught numerous courses at VUSN and currently directs the nursing education course series and post master's certificate in nursing education program. Dr. Kennedy has taught a VU freshman Commons Seminar, and a VU Osher Center for Life Long Learning Course about the social determinants of health. Dr. Kennedy has authored several journal articles and book chapters primarily in the areas of high risk and critical care obstetrics and nursing education.

She is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing, and has served on the board of directors for the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses, and held leadership roles in other professional organizations. Dr. Kennedy serves the Vanderbilt community on several school of nursing committees, interprofessional work groups, and has represented the School of Nursing as a member of the Faculty Senate. She was a Gold Humanism and Harvard Macy Scholar at the Institute for Health Professions Educators and has received multiple awards at VUSN for clinical teaching, classroom teaching, and contributions to student-faculty relations outside the classroom.

She received the Ingeborg Mauschk Award for excellence in faculty mentoring at the School of Nursing three times and has been named as a fellow in the National League for Nursing Academy of Nurse Education and the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing.