Rick García
June 2025
Rick
García
,
PhD, RN, CCM, FAAOHN, FNYAM, FAADN
N/A
Nurses on Boards Coalition
Virtual
United States
He fosters an environment where trust, mutual respect, professional development, and ethical behavior are modeled daily. His leadership is both inclusive and innovative, and he is a relentless advocate for minimizing health inequities and advancing culturally congruent care.
It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I nominate Dr. Rick García for recognition by the Nurses on Boards Coalition (NOBC) and for the DAISY Award for Nursing Leadership. Dr. García embodies the qualities of compassionate leadership, visionary service, and unwavering dedication to nursing excellence that these honors represent. Dr. García's commitment to board service began early, when, as a college student, he served as the student representative on the State Board of Community Colleges in Florida at a time when nursing programs were undergoing critical evaluation. Since that formative experience, he has continued to serve with distinction on numerous boards, including the Florida State Association of Occupational Health Nurses, the American Midwifery Certification Board, the District of Columbia Board of Nursing, the New York State Board of Nursing, and the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses. His most recent service includes his impactful contributions to the Nurses on Board Coalition.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and the OADN Foundation, Dr. García mentors the next generation of nurse leaders, especially those from communities with historically limited representation in nursing. He fosters an environment where trust, mutual respect, professional development, and ethical behavior are modeled daily. His leadership is both inclusive and innovative, and he is a relentless advocate for minimizing health inequities and advancing culturally congruent care. Dr. García’s lifelong dedication to mentoring is reflected in his consistent sponsorship of emerging leaders for board service.
His academic work, policy advocacy, and mentorship efforts are grounded in the belief that leadership must be a compassionate, inclusive, and transformative philosophy that is fully aligned with the hallmark principles of the DAISY Award. Through his work on the NOBC Executive Committee and his steadfast commitment to its mission, Dr. García demonstrates that nurses are essential leaders at decision-making tables across all sectors. His career stands as a testament to the powerful impact of nurses on boards, advocating for communities and individuals whose voices are too often marginalized. Dr. Rick García is an inspiring example of excellence in nursing leadership, and I am honored to recommend him for this prestigious DAISY Award recognition.
As the Chief Executive Officer of the Organization for Associate Degree Nursing (OADN) and the OADN Foundation, Dr. García mentors the next generation of nurse leaders, especially those from communities with historically limited representation in nursing. He fosters an environment where trust, mutual respect, professional development, and ethical behavior are modeled daily. His leadership is both inclusive and innovative, and he is a relentless advocate for minimizing health inequities and advancing culturally congruent care. Dr. García’s lifelong dedication to mentoring is reflected in his consistent sponsorship of emerging leaders for board service.
His academic work, policy advocacy, and mentorship efforts are grounded in the belief that leadership must be a compassionate, inclusive, and transformative philosophy that is fully aligned with the hallmark principles of the DAISY Award. Through his work on the NOBC Executive Committee and his steadfast commitment to its mission, Dr. García demonstrates that nurses are essential leaders at decision-making tables across all sectors. His career stands as a testament to the powerful impact of nurses on boards, advocating for communities and individuals whose voices are too often marginalized. Dr. Rick García is an inspiring example of excellence in nursing leadership, and I am honored to recommend him for this prestigious DAISY Award recognition.