COL Halliburton graduated from Central High School, Murfreesboro, Tenn.  She received her nursing diploma from St. Thomas Hospital School of Nursing in Nashville, Tenn., and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. COL Halliburton received her nurse anesthesia training at Madigan Army Medical Center, Anesthesiology for Army Nurse Corps Officers Course in 1965. In 1972 she graduated from Ohio State University with a Master of Science in Nursing. Sarah was the first nurse anesthetist to be selected by the United States Army Nurse Corps to attend long term civilian training to receive her PhD in Adult education. She earned her PhD in Curriculum and
Instruction from the University of Texas, graduating in 1978. 

COL Halliburton entered the U.S. Army and the Army Nurse Corps in 1962. She had numerous assignments that took her to various military posts throughout the United States. One notable assignment was in the Republic of Vietnam where she served as the Chief Nurse Anesthetist of the 12th Evacuation Hospital from July 1967 through July 1968.
 
As a key advocate of Nurse Anesthesia education, COL Halliburton advanced in her career to the position of program director for the U.S. Army Program in Anesthesia Nursing. With the assistance of the late Ira Gunn, COL Halliburton transitioned the Army anesthesia program from a diploma program to a Master’s degree granting program in 1982. Her efforts formed the framework for the Army anesthesia program to become a doctoral program, which now awards a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The first class of students for doctoral education started in June 2012.

COL Halliburton’s contributions to the education of Army nurse anesthetists were formidable and will be everlasting. Many of her former students have achieved doctoral degrees, have become program directors of nurse anesthesia programs and have been elected to high positions at both the state and national levels.

After COL Halliburton retired from the U.S. Army, an award was established in her name by the faculty of the U.S. Army Graduate Program in Anesthesia Nursing. The COL Sarah Halliburton Award is presented to the Phase 1 student who demonstrates outstanding academic, leadership and military skills.

Sarah was truly a remarkable woman who had a lasting impact on many lives. She will be missed. Online condolences can be made at the Woodfins Funeral Home's website. Woodfins Funeral Home, 1488 Lascassas Pike, Murfreesboro, TN 37130.