Blue and Gold Blue and Gold Winter Edition 2020 | Page 12

BSC Alumna Named Among
“top 100”
healthcare professionals
When Dr. Loressa Cole got her Associate
Degree in Nursing from Bluefield State in 1977
perhaps not even she knew she was taking the
first steps toward the peak of her profession.
Recently, Modern Healthcare magazine
recognized Dr. Cole as one of America’s Top
100 most influential healthcare professionals.
These women and men are picked from across
the broad spectrum of the nation’s healthcare
system including hospitals, health systems,
insurance, government, vendors and suppliers,
trade and professional organizations.
The magazine noted that “She is focused on
finding ways to not only increase the ranks
and diversity of the nursing profession, but
also create a safer environment for nurses in
the workplace.”
In 2018 Dr. Cole was named CEO of ANA
Enterprise, a family of organizations
comprised of the American Nurses
Association, American Nurses Credentialing
Center and the American Nurses Foundation.
At the time she said about her new position,
“I am very honored and excited to assume this
prestigious position. The American Nurses
Association is the professional association for
all registered nurses, and a recognized leader
in ensuring quality health care for all
Americans. At four million and growing,
America’s nurses outnumber all other
health-care professionals and serve an
essential role to protect, promote, and improve
health for all ages.”
Following her graduation from Bluefield State,
Dr. Cole earned her B.S., Nursing, from
Virginia Commonwealth University. Then an
12
BLUE AND GOLD
schools
report
Dr. Loressa Cole, Class of 1977
MBA from Averett University. And, finally, her
doctorate in nursing practice from Case
Western Reserve University.
She reflected in an interview shortly after her
appointment, “I started my nursing
career with an associates degree, followed by a
baccalaureate, and master’s, and a doctorate –
literally a degree every decade. I was always a
part-time student, while working full-time and
supporting a family. So at the point of attain-
ing my ‘terminal’ degree, I realized what an
accomplishment that was.”
Indeed.
Even as Dr. Cole’s determination, hard work
and dedication to her profession have taken
her far from Bluefield State, we’re proud to
know her journey began as she walked across
our Blue & Gold stage to accept that first
diploma.
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