Margarita de la Fuente currently serves as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Quality, Professional Practice and Magnet for Duke University Health System and is a Clinical Associate at the Duke University School of Nursing.  In her health system role, Margarita oversees clinical practice, nursing research and evidence based practice, professional governance, and nursing quality.  Margarita has served in progressive leadership roles for over 10 years specializing in quality and process improvement, redesigning shared governance structures, and strategic planning. Margarita earned her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University for Audiology and Speech Sciences and graduated from the College of New Rochelle in 2005 with her BSN. She also holds a MSN from New York University and completed her DNP at Duke University School of Nursing, where she focused on the patient and visitor violence in a healthcare system.

PhD, RN, CNS, FNP- BC, AOCNP

Clinical Nurse Scientist, Director Nursing Research & EBP, Duke University Health System

Hutch has worked at Duke Health since 1982 in a variety of staff and advanced practice roles. Her research focuses on exploring the impact of cognitive impairment in the lives of cancer survivors. She has served as the Director of Nursing Research and EBP since fall 2016.

MSN, RN, NEA-BC

Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Recruitment and Hospital Administrative Systems, Duke University Health System

Sylvia M. Alston currently holds the position of associate chief nursing officer Duke University Health System (DUHS), with responsibility for the oversight and operation of nurse recruitment and retention for DUHS, supplemental staffing for DUHS and administrative systems for Duke Hospital. Her nursing role focus is centered on work force planning and development, nurse retention, work culture enhancement, nurse recognition, successful onboarding and effective scheduling and staffing strategies. Alston earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her Master of Business from Duke University.

PhD, MSN, RN

Associate Vice President of Nursing, Duke Private Diagnostic Clinic

Cheryl Brewer is the Associate Vice President of Nursing for the Duke Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC). She also serves a Clinical Associate at Duke University School of Nursing. Brewer provides oversight for the practice and professional development of nursing and patient care staff across more than 100 primary care and multispecialty clinics. She leads efforts to transform practice and ensure the provision of quality nursing care. This includes accountability for practice compliance and activities to advance the organizational mission to improve patient outcomes. As a nurse scientist, Brewer's research endeavors include strategies to improve health-related quality of life and self-care management in individuals with sickle cell disease. She has co-authored several publications and she is the recipient of several awards and honors including the Duke Friends of Nursing Award for Excellence in Leadership, The NC Central University Distinguished Alumnus Award, Triangle Business Journal HealthCare Heroes, and the Chi Eta Phi Nurse Legend Award. Brewer received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from NC Central University, a Master of Science degree in Nursing Administration from Duke University, and a PhD degree in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

DNP, NP-C, AACC, FAANPAVP

AVP, DHIP Advanced Practice; Nurse Practitioner, Cardiology

Dr. Allison Dimsdale is the Associate Vice President of Advanced Practice for the Duke Health Integrated Practice. She maintains a clinical practice as a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner in the Department of Medicine Division of Cardiology, where she specializes in treating heart failure, acute coronary syndromes, and primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. Her third appointment is as Clinical Associate Faculty in the Duke University School of Nursing where she lectures to graduate students in the areas of professional practice and cardiology, and serves as content expert on doctoral committees. Allison is passionate about mentoring young(er) NPs and PAs, and providing support and advocacy at both the personal and system level for these providers to find joy and fulfillment in their work.

Allison has a keen interest in creative nursing education and mentorship, as well as the leadership interface between systems of care, provider utilization, access to care, and excellent patient outcomes. In her executive role at Duke, she is responsible for leading the effort to facilitate Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants to work to their full scope of practice by implementing ambulatory practice redesign with the aim to increase patient access to high-quality, safe and effective care.

Allison speaks nationally about leadership, cardiology and advanced practice, serves on various community task forces and boards, and was a Fellow in both the 2013 NC Nurses Association Leadership Academy and the 2021 Association of Nurse Practitioners Leadership Fellowship. She holds the Associate of the American College of Cardiology recognition and is a Fellow of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (FAANP).

She earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Science (MSN) degrees at Duke University, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas.

DNP, MA, MBA, RN, NE-BC, NEA-BC, CENP

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke University Health System

Gloria Alston McNeil, DNP, MA, MBA, RN, NE-BC, NEA-BC, CENP, currently serves as associate chief nursing officer at Duke Regional Hospital, where she is responsible for nursing care within the hospital’s critical care, general medicine, rehabilitation, general surgery. In addition, she provides leadership for hospital initiatives focused on , education services, operation administration, and nursing informatics.

McNeil is an executive nurse leader with more than 35 years of nursing leadership experience. She began her nursing career providing care for patients who had undergone orthopedic and neuro-surgical procedures. She has held several leadership positions in many areas within nursing, led multiple initiatives and served on multiple committees and projects throughout her career.

McNeil holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Duke University, a Post-Doctorate Certificate as a Quality Implementation Scholar, a Master’s of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University, a Master’s in Agency Counseling and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). She is a 2011 Amy V. Cockcroft Fellow and completed the Wharton Nursing Leaders Program in 2016. She is certified as a Nurse Executive – Advanced by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and certified in Executive Nursing Practice by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.

She has been recognized for her nursing leadership contributions by Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina, YWCA, National Council of Negro Women, Central Carolina Black Nurses Council, Pi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority and the North Carolina Nurses Association for mentorship in nursing. She also has been named NCCU’s Distinguished Nursing Alumnus and received the Duke University Friends of Nursing Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership.

McNeil is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the NCCU Honor Society, NCCU Nursing Alumni Association, Life Member of the NCCU Alumni Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American Nurses Association and the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA), where she has served on the Board of Directors. She has also served on nursing advisory committees for NCCU, Durham Technical Community College and Piedmont Community College. She was inducted into the Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority in 1989. She continues to support NCCU by serving on the Nursing Advisory Board and as guest lecturer for senior nursing students. She has served as preceptor for DNP students at Walden University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, UNC CH, UNC Greensboro, Duke University and Grand Canyon University.

McNeil has served as a NCNA Hallmark Reviewer, ANCC Magnet conference poster/podium reviewer, and currently on a Great 100 Selection Committee, the Manning Award selections committee and is a trained National Malcolm Baldrige examiner.

MSN, RN, CEN, NEA-BC

Chief Nursing & Patient Care Services Officer, Chief Retention Officer, Duke University Hospital

With more than 30 years as a registered nurse, Chantal Howard currently serves the Chief Nursing and Patient Care Officer for the Duke University Hospital. She is responsible for providing leadership, management and fiscal responsibility for patient care services with the goal of achieving excellent patient care, and enhancing quality. Chantal is responsible for nursing practice across the continuum of care within the hospital as well as the outpatient/ambulatory care services. Providing oversight and direction while establishing and maintaining a system for developing, reviewing, approving and disseminating standards for clinical practice. Chantal has also served in multiple nursing leadership positions including Vice President of Nursing, Director of Emergency Services, Director of Nursing for Cardiovascular Services and Nurse Manager of emergency department.

Chantal holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing Degree from Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York, a Master’s of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2009 and scheduled to complete her Doctorate in Nursing Practice at Duke University School of Nursing in the spring of 2024. Chantal holds two professional board certifications as an advanced nurse executive and emergency nursing.

She is a member of the following professional organizations: American Nurses Association (ANA), American Association for Nursing Leadership (AONL), North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders (NCONL), Emergency Nursing Association (ENA) and American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN).

Chantal is active in the community. She serves as a board member, President Elect of the North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders, a board member of the Wake County EMS Research Board and a member of the Wake County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team. Chantal partnered with INTERACT, the domestic violence agency in Wake County to implement the lethality assessment program which screens victims of domestic violence who are at high risk of being killed. In addition, she has partnered with Durham Crisis Response Center to implement the lethality assessment program in Durham County. She implemented one of Brooklyn New York’s first Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Programs. She has presented on both a state and national level on disaster management, stroke management and nurse leadership.

DNP, RN, NI-BC, NEA-BC, CPHIMS, ACHIP, FHMISS, FAMIA

Chief Nursing Information Officer (CNIO), Duke University Health System

Kay Lytle serves as the Chief Nursing Information Officer for Duke University Health System. Her clinical informatics experience ranges from small departmental applications to large, health system EHRs. Kay received her DNP from the Duke University School of Nursing, and also teaches part-time in their health informatics program.

Priscilla Ramseur, DNP, RN, CNOR, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing & Patient Care Services Officer

Priscilla Ramseur became the Chief Nursing Officer of Duke Raleigh Hospital in September, 2013. Prior to this role, she served as the Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Clinical Operations Director, nurse educator and staff nurse in perioperative services at Duke University Hospital from 1989-2013, and was a staff nurse at Duke Regional Hospital from 1986-1989. She holds a BSN degree in nursing from North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, and a MSN degree in nursing and Post-Master's Certificate in nursing administration from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Ramseur is a member of the North Carolina Nurse's Association (NCNA), the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE), the North Carolina Organization for Nurse Leaders (NCONL), and the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN). She serves on the Wake County Urban Ministries Board, Vernon Malone High School Nurse Aide Advisory Board, and is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

DNP, RN, NE-BC

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke Primary Care

Kelly is a Durham, NC native and joined the Duke University Health System in 2009. Kelly has worked in various clinical practice areas, including, the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Outpatient Neurosurgery and NeuroOncology clinics and Primary Care and has held various nursing leadership positions, including Nurse Manager, Senior Nursing Manager and Director of Nursing. Sullivan became the Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Duke Primary Care in 2020. In her role, Kelly provides nursing leadership support to the 45+ practices in the Duke Primary Care network and has oversight and responsibility for clinical practice and policy, nursing quality and patient safety, clinical education and workforce planning and development. Sullivan received her BSN degree from Barton College in Wilson, North Carolina and both her MSN and DNP degrees from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Sullivan is a Duke Nursing Quality Implementation Scholar, a 2025 Academy GE Nurse Fellow and a member of several professional organizations including, the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing, American Nurses Association, North Carolina Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Leaders and the North Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders.

MSN, NNP, PNP

Associate Chief Nursing Officer for Advanced Practice, Duke University Health System

Amy Yancy-Mangum works clinically as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner for the Duke University Hospital Intensive Care Nursery and is a Clinical Associate at the Duke School of Nursing. She received her Bachelor’s in Science in Nursing from Auburn University, Masters of Science in Nursing degree in the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner specialty from Duke University, and a Post-Master’s Certificate as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner from Duke University. Amy began her career at Duke as a staff nurse in the Intensive Care Nursery in 1990. She has served in various clinical and administrative roles of increasing scope and responsibility throughout her career at Duke. As a staff nurse and a nurse practitioner, her clinical areas of interest included bereavement care, the ELBW patient, immunizations, and nutritional issues. Prior to joining the Duke team, Amy worked as a staff nurse in the nursery and Labor & Delivery units at West Georgia Medical Center and at East Montgomery Medical Center.

DNP, RN, NE-BC

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke Regional Hospital

Paula T. Cates, DNP, RN, NE-BC is an enthusiastic, highly motivated executive nurse leader with more than thirty- years of experience. Her nursing career began at Duke University Hospital caring for cardiothoracic surgical patients. The vast majority of her career has been in perioperative nursing. She has experience with strategic planning, outcomes management, oversight of clinical practice standards, and change management. Navigating systems within organizations to facilitate improvements consistent with their mission and values have been hallmarks of her career.

Her current role as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Duke Regional Hospital provides an opportunity to affect nursing practice in perioperative services, cardiology, and the emergency department. In addition, she has participated in numerous projects to improve overall patient safety, efficiency, and work culture.

She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree from UNC Greensboro, a Masters of Science in Nursing from Duke University (2016) and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Winston Salem State University (2012). She began her nursing education at Watts School of Nursing and received a diploma in 1984.

MSN, BSN, AGACNP-BC

Director of Advanced Practice and Nutrition Services, Duke Regional Hospital

Brandi Snow began her career in the Duke University Healthy System as a registered nurse in 2008. She received her BSN from Queens University of Charlotte and her MSN from Duke University School of Nursing. Since graduating with her MSN in 2014 she has practiced clinically in the intensive care unit at Duke Regional Hospital. Brandi has been in advanced practice leadership for the past 7 years first as a clinical team lead and since January 2023 as the Director of Advanced Practice and Nutrition Services at Duke Regional Hospital.

DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, PMHS, FAANP

Clinical Professor, Director, Pediatric Behavioral Mental Health Specialty, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Anne Derouin (pronounced “Der win”) currently is a professor and lead faculty for the Pediatric Behavioral Mental Healthcare specialty program at Duke School of Nursing. She holds academic appointments at the Duke Division of Family Medicine and Community Health, the Duke Global Health Institute and is a Duke AHEAD Distinguished Fellow. A Fellow of AANP, she is a dual-certified ARPN who has served in community and school-based health care setting for more than 30 years. She is recognized as a national adolescent health care expert and has served on state and national taskforces aimed at addressing pediatric, adolescent and mental health care issues.

Dr. Derouin serves on the Executive Steering committee for the Duke-Advanced practice providers Leadership Institute (APPLI formally the Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership Institute), and has served on executive boards for community and professional organizations including the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners. She currently serves as the Associate Editor of the Journal of Pediatric Healthcare.

DNP, RNC-MNN

Assistant Clinical Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Gedzyk-Nieman’s scholarly work on gender and LGBTQ+ inclusivity in clinical practice and nursing education supports DUSON’s mission. In addition to peer-reviewed publications, she has been invited to speak about these topics at national and international conferences. Her work on attitudes of acceptance of male nurses among female nurses was a finalist for the 2018 Excellence in Educational Research Award at Sigma’s International Nursing Congress in Sydney, Australia, and most recently, she was the 2022-2023 University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Audrey Solberg Smith Distinguished Lecturer. She is committed to increasing diversity and inclusiveness in our community in her role as one of DUSON’s certified Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Unconscious Bias Facilitators in addition to co-facilitating DUSONs achievement of the AAMN “Best Schools for Men in Nursing” designation annually. Her scholarly work also informs her teaching by creating inclusive learning spaces and, more importantly, creating future nurses who can identify biases in healthcare settings and are equipped with strategies to mitigate those biases.

Dr. Gedzyk-Nieman has been developing rewarding educational experiences for nursing students in the Childbearing Families course in the ABSN program and uses the humanities to inform future healthcare providers as part of the Trent Center for Bioethics Moral Movements in Medicine interprofessional program. She has received a certification in Maternal-Newborn nursing and maintains a clinical practice in the Postpartum Unit at Duke Regional Hospital. Additionally, Dr. Gedzyk-Nieman is one of the faculty advisors for the Duke Chapter of the American Association for Men in Nursing (DAAMN) and the Duke Chapter of the Nurses for Sexual and Reproductive Health (DNSRH).

PhD, DSc (h), RN, FAAN

Vice Dean - DEIB and Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Ernest J. Grant is the Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at the Duke University School of Nursing. He is also the immediate past president of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nation’s largest nurse’s organization representing the interests of the nation’s 4.3 million registered nurses. He is the first man to be elected to the office of president of the American Nurses Association in its 127 years of existence.

A distinguished leader, Dr. Grant has more than 30 years of nursing experience and is an internationally recognized burn-care and fire-safety expert. He also serves as adjunct faculty for the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing, where he works with undergraduate and graduate nursing students in the classroom and clinical settings. For the past four years in a row, Dr. Grant has been recognized by Modern Healthcare Magazine as one of 50 Influential Clinical Executives in Healthcare and as one of 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare. He has been nationally recognized for his work addressing racism, equity, and inclusion within the nursing profession. He was named as Modern Healthcare's 2023 Top Diversity Leaders.

In 2002, President George W. Bush presented Grant with a Nurse of the Year Award for his work treating burn victims from the World Trade Center site. He was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2011. Grant holds a BSN degree from North Carolina Central University and MSN and PhD degrees from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

PhD, MBA, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP

Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

I am an Associate Professor and teach in the master and doctor of nursing practice programs. I am currently a diabetes consultant at a primary care clinic within a federally qualified health center and at Duke Regional and Health System. She has been working with the diabetes population nearly 16 years and has created diabetes clinics within primary care settings. My clinical interests include closing care gaps to vulnerable populations, health equity and social justice in health care. My research includes the understanding of the social factors among under served populations with diabetes led which led to creating a mechanism to provide a seamless transition from hospital discharge to community clinic care. I also have a strong interest in innovating nursing education and elevating the nursing profession to their fullest potential, including making health care related decisions from the clinical to the national level.

PhD, RN, ACNS-BC, CCRN, CNRN, SCRN, CPHQ, FAAN

Associate Clinical Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Staci Reynolds joined Duke in January 2016, with a joint position between Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON) and Duke University Hospital (DUH). She served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) at DUH from 2016 to 2023. At DUSON, Dr. Reynolds teaches in the ABSN Program (neuroscience nursing) and DNP program (healthcare quality improvement methods). She serves as the School of Nursing CRU Director, as well as the Director of Academic Assessment and Evaluation. In January 2023, Dr. Reynolds was appointed the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Nursing Care Quality. Before coming to DUSON, she was a neurocritical care nurse and a neuroscience CNS at Indiana University Health Methodist Hospital.

Dr. Reynolds received a baccalaureate degree in nursing science from Indiana University (IU) in Indianapolis, Indiana. She earned a Master’s degree as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at IU in 2011, and completed her PhD at IU in May 2016. Dr. Reynolds’ current research interests include evidence-based practice implementation and quality improvement.

PhD, RN, FAAN

Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Ryan Shaw is an Associate Professor at the Duke University at the Schools of Nursing and Medicine. He leads teams that discover how to integrate patient generated health data and emerging technologies into nurse-led care delivery models. This includes data from wearables, sensors and devices that monitor and augment patient care and interface with electronic health records (EHRs). His work has been funded by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), among others. He is the Director of the Duke University School of Nursing's Health Innovation Lab, a space for entrepreneurship, product development and testing, and modeling and testing new care delivery processes. Dr. Shaw also teaches classes in health informatics and research methods and mentors students to become the next generation of health scientists and clinicians.

PhD, RN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CCRN, CNE, FAANP

Assistant Dean - MSN Program, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Smallheer is the Assistant Dean for the Master of Science in Nursing Program at Duke University School of Nursing (DUSON). Previously, he was the Director for the AG-ACNP major at DUSON. He actively practices as an Acute Care NP with the Critical Care Medicine team at Duke Raleigh Hospital. His extensive clinical practice includes international work in Haiti, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, South Africa, and Tanzania. As an educator, he prepares NPs for interprofessional practice and leading national/international initiatives through clinical simulations that included emerging management strategies, anticipatory planning, difficult conversations, and the use of telehealth to connect individuals who are dying while isolated family members.

DNP, RN

Associate Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Kathy earned her BSN from the University of Vermont, MSN (Nursing Administration) and DNP at the Duke University School of Nursing. She has over thirty years of experience in adult health / critical care, administration and education. Kathy has held numerous clinical, managerial and leadership positions. She presently teaches across programs at DUSON and is the Director of the MSN Nursing and Healthcare Leadership program. She is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, American Nurses Association, North Carolina Nurses Association, American Organization of Nurse Leaders and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

DNP, PNP, FAANP, FAAN

Clinical Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Julee Waldrop earned a BA in Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, her BSN from Texas Woman’s University and MS from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and her terminal degree, the DNP from Duke University School of Nursing.

She has taught nursing, primarily NP and DNP students, for over 25 years. She has taught at four institutions and practiced in 5 different states. Currently, she is a clinical professor at Duke University School of Nursing. She is a certified nurse educator and evidence-based practice-certified.

Her clinical expertise is holistic newborn care, including the mother and her support systems. More recently, it has been on clinical and educational scholarship. Her expertise led to a Faculty Practice Award from the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and membership as a Fellow in the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Academy of Nursing.

She is Editor in Chief of The Journal for Nurse Practitioners and a CCNE site evaluator. Through work submitted to the journal and visiting many DNP programs nationwide, she has a big picture of the state of DNP programs nationally.

DNP, MA, MBA, RN, NE-BC, NEA-BC, CENP

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke University Health System

Gloria Alston McNeil, DNP, MA, MBA, RN, NE-BC, NEA-BC, CENP, currently serves as associate chief nursing officer at Duke Regional Hospital, where she is responsible for nursing care within the hospital’s critical care, general medicine, rehabilitation, general surgery. In addition, she provides leadership for hospital initiatives focused on, education services, operation administration, and nursing informatics.

McNeil is an executive nurse leader with more than 35 years of nursing leadership experience. She began her nursing career providing care for patients who had undergone orthopedic and neuro-surgical procedures. She has held several leadership positions in many areas within nursing, led multiple initiatives and served on multiple committees and projects throughout her career.

McNeil holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Duke University, a Post-Doctorate Certificate as a Quality Implementation Scholar, a Master’s of Business Administration from Pfeiffer University, a Master’s in Agency Counseling and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from North Carolina Central University (NCCU). She is a 2011 Amy V. Cockcroft Fellow and completed the Wharton Nursing Leaders Program in 2016. She is certified as a Nurse Executive – Advanced by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and certified in Executive Nursing Practice by the American Organization for Nursing Leadership.

She has been recognized for her nursing leadership contributions by Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina, YWCA, National Council of Negro Women, Central Carolina Black Nurses Council, Pi Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority and the North Carolina Nurses Association for mentorship in nursing. She also has been named NCCU’s Distinguished Nursing Alumnus and received the Duke University Friends of Nursing Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership.

McNeil is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, the NCCU Honor Society, NCCU Nursing Alumni Association, Life Member of the NCCU Alumni Association, the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, American Nurses Association and the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA), where she has served on the Board of Directors. She has also served on nursing advisory committees for NCCU, Durham Technical Community College and Piedmont Community College. She was inducted into the Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority in 1989. She continues to support NCCU by serving on the Nursing Advisory Board and as guest lecturer for senior nursing students. She has served as preceptor for DNP students at Walden University, UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, UNC CH, UNC Greensboro, Duke University and Grand Canyon University.

McNeil has served as a NCNA Hallmark Reviewer, ANCC Magnet conference poster/podium reviewer, and currently on a Great 100 Selection Committee, the Manning Award selections committee and is a trained National Malcolm Baldrige examiner.

DNP, RN, NE-BC

Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Duke University Health System

Paula T. Cates, DNP, RN, NE-BC is an enthusiastic, highly motivated executive nurse leader with more than thirty- years of experience. Her nursing career began at Duke University Hospital caring for cardiothoracic surgical patients. The vast majority of her career has been in perioperative nursing. She has experience with strategic planning, outcomes management, oversight of clinical practice standards, and change management. Navigating systems within organizations to facilitate improvements consistent with their mission and values have been hallmarks of her career.

Her current role as Associate Chief Nursing Officer at Duke Regional Hospital provides an opportunity to affect nursing practice in perioperative services, cardiology, and the emergency department. In addition, she has participated in numerous projects to improve overall patient safety, efficiency, and work culture.

She holds a Doctorate of Nursing Practice Degree from UNC Greensboro, a Masters of Science in Nursing from Duke University (2016) and a Bachelor of Science Degree from Winston Salem State University (2012). She began her nursing education at Watts School of Nursing and received a diploma in 1984.