Latonya Hughes

Dr. Latonya Dickerson Hughes, a highly accomplished alumna of Walden University (Class of 2019), offers an exceptional breadth of experience to the College of Nursing, backed by over three decades of service in the healthcare sector. Her expertise spans a diverse range of areas, including academic program development, regulatory compliance, and strategic leadership within healthcare organizations. Dr. Hughes has held prominent leadership roles throughout her career. As a former Assistant Dean and Chair of Graduate Nursing Education, she has been instrumental in shaping and advancing nursing education programs, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices. Her ability to lead in academic settings is complemented by her substantial experience in healthcare administration, where she has served in key roles such as Administrator and Chief Nurse for the Department of Veterans Affairs, where she oversaw clinical operations and nursing services across multiple facilities. In addition to her administrative work, Dr. Hughes has served as an Accreditation Surveyor with The Joint Commission, where she was responsible for assessing healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with national standards. This role allowed her to contribute to the continuous improvement of healthcare quality and safety on a national scale. Dr. Hughes is also a respected researcher and published author. Her research on The Caregivers’ Perception of Person-Centered Care has garnered recognition within the field, contributing valuable insights into the experiences of caregivers and the importance of person-centered approaches in healthcare delivery. Further demonstrating her commitment to public service and healthcare advocacy, Dr. Hughes was recently appointed by the Governor of Virginia to serve on two critical state boards: the Board of Health Professions and the Board of Long-Term Care Administrators. These appointments reflect her expertise and the high regard in which she is held as a leader in healthcare policy and governance. Dr. Hughes’ contributions to nursing education, healthcare leadership, and policy development continue to shape the future of healthcare, both regionally and nationally, making her an invaluable asset to the College of Nursing and the broader healthcare community.

Education

PhD, Walden University

MS, Hampton University

BSN, Hampton University