Danielle McCamey, DNP, ACNP BC, FCCP, FADLN, FAAN, is a trailblazer in acute care nursing with nearly 20 years of experience. Her leadership spans perianesthesia, palliative and critical care. Danielle serves as assistant dean for strategic partnerships at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing and is the visionary founder, CEO and president of DNPs of Color, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing diversity in doctoral-level nursing. She earned a BSN from the University of Virginia and both an MSN and a DNP from Georgetown University, along with certificates in DEI and nonprofit leadership. Her accolades include fellowships with the American College of Chest Physicians, the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing, and the American Academy of Nursing.
A Lifelong Commitment to Critical Care
Since 2003, Danielle has been devoted to critical care nursing. She thrives in high-stakes, unpredictable environments, finding purpose in both celebrating patient recoveries and providing dignified care during end-of-life situations. Her dedication to patient-centered care informs her broader leadership philosophy. It's more than clinical excellence; it's about leading with empathy, listening deeply and creating structures that support those who care for others.
A Surprising Honor: Pioneering Spirit Award
In 2024, Danielle was honored with AACN's Pioneering Spirit Award for Visionary Leadership. She describes the moment as one of shocked humility, grounded in her passion for amplifying voices historically excluded from nursing. Her mentor, Dr. Gloria McNeal, submitted the nomination, yet Danielle still needed a moment to take it in and reflect on her contributions. impact.
"When I learned I had been selected, I was speechless," Danielle recalls. "I never set out to win awards. My focus has always been on lifting others, amplifying underrepresented voices, and creating space where people can feel they belong. This honor gave me a moment to pause and realize just how far that work has reached."
Growing Into a Visionary Leader
Leadership wasn't always something Danielle embraced. "I used to shy away from the term 'leader,' she says. "It felt like too much responsibility. But over time, mentors helped me see that leadership is simply service in motion."
Danielle's mentors recognized her potential, guiding her to step forward. Today, she emphasizes that genuine leadership is less about personal ambition and more about service. "When you align your actions with meaningful impact, others naturally listen and follow."
Mission-Driven: DNPs of Color
Through DNPs of Color, Danielle has built a powerful platform focused on mentorship, scholarship and advocacy to diversify the doctoral nursing workforce. This community of practice supports nurses of color in networking, publishing, presenting and finding their voices in academic medicine.
"We're not just creating a network," Danielle explains. "We're building a community of practice where nurses can see themselves reflected and supported at the highest levels."
Mentorship and Scholarship: Essential Pillars
Danielle champions mentorship as a cornerstone for success. Through DNPs of Color, nurses are encouraged to seek aligned mentorship and build productive relationships. The organization also fosters scholarship while helping nurses translate science into practice through writing, presentations and conference engagement. Danielle empowers nurses to elevate their voices and shape the future of the profession, whether through publishing, presenting or serving as thought leaders at national conferences.This work is crucial to reduce disparities and improve patient care.
Nursing as a Superpower
Her closing message is powerful:
"Use nursing as your superpower. We have a voice, and we should use it." She reminds nurses that the profession's consistently high ratings for trust aren't accidental. They're a foundation for advocacy. Nurse leaders can use their power to support the voiceless, drive innovation and improve care across health systems.
