Photo by Molly Harrell

Patrick Hickey takes nursing to new heights.

Though Patrick stood atop Mt. Everest this summer, he might find Little Mountain to be more his speed. "I have an extreme fear of heights!" he says.

Nevertheless, Patrick has completed his quest to climb the highest peak on each continent, becoming the first nurse to complete the Seven Summits. A professor at USC's College of Nursing, he's used his climbs to generate support for the Summit Scholarship to recruit new nurses.

Patrick's high school guidance counselor surprised him when she suggested nursing as a career. "She saw something in me that I didn't, and I have been eternally grateful."

Men are still rare in the nursing field, less than 6% of nurses nationwide. "Being a male in a female dominated profession has definitely been a life changing event."

Now, Patrick plans to write a book and continue his work to attract more women - and men - to nursing. "I hope to increase the public's awareness of the nursing shortage and the patient safety challenges that exist as a result." Read more about Patrick's Everest climb at myeverest.com/pat.

What does he like about reading skirt!? "skirt! helps keep me connected with my female colleagues and nursing students."

And wearing a skirt? "I like the way it flatters my figure!"