Danville, VA —Danville Community College (DCC) is honored to announce that Dr. Ernest J. Grant, a distinguished leader in nursing and healthcare, will serve as the keynote speaker for the Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, 2024, at Averett University's Frith Auditorium.
Dr. Grant currently serves as the Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the Duke University School of Nursing and is the immediate past president of the American Nurses Association (ANA). As the first man to be elected ANA president in its 127-year history, Dr. Grant has been a trailblazer in advocating for the interests of the nation's 4.3 million registered nurses.
"I am absolutely delighted to serve as this year's Keynote Speaker for the Danville Community College Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony,” said Dr. Grant. “It is great to share this special moment in the lives of the next generation of nursing professionals as they begin their commitment to the nursing profession. DCC has a rich history of educating nurses to be prepared to meet the healthcare needs of today and the future. I am sure this group will carry on that tradition and provide expert compassionate care wherever they chose to work."
With over three decades of nursing experience, Dr. Grant is renowned internationally as a burn-care and fire-safety expert. He is also an adjunct faculty member at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Nursing, where he works closely with undergraduate and graduate nursing students. His influence extends beyond the classroom, as he has been recognized by Modern Healthcare Magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential Clinical Executives and one of the 100 Most Influential People in Healthcare for the past four consecutive years.
Dr. Grant’s dedication to addressing racism, equity, and inclusion within the nursing profession earned him the title of one of Modern Healthcare’s 2023 Top Diversity Leaders. In 2002, President George W. Bush presented him with a Nurse of the Year Award for his exceptional care provided to burn victims from the World Trade Center site. Dr. Grant was inducted as a fellow into the American Academy of Nursing in 2011 and holds advanced degrees, including a Ph.D. in nursing, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Ernest J. Grant as the keynote speaker for this year’s pinning ceremony,” said Dr. Jim Emerson, Director of the Nursing Program at Danville Community College. “Dr. Grant’s leadership, expertise, and advocacy for equity and excellence in nursing make him an inspiring figure for our graduates as they embark on their professional journeys. His presence will undoubtedly make this event a memorable and empowering celebration.”
The DCC Nursing Program Pinning Ceremony is a time-honored tradition that celebrates the achievements of nursing graduates and their transition into professional practice. This year’s ceremony promises to inspire attendees with Dr. Grant’s insights and accomplishments, underscoring the values of leadership, compassion, and commitment to excellence in healthcare.
"Having Dr. Ernest J. Grant as our keynote speaker exemplifies the caliber of leadership and inspiration we strive to bring to our students at Danville Community College,” said Dr. Cornelius Johnson, Interim President of DCC. “His remarkable contributions to healthcare and his dedication to advancing diversity and equity in nursing will leave a lasting impression on our graduates as they prepare to make their own impact in the field.”
For more information about the event, please contact the DCC Nursing Department at 434-797-8512
Contacts
