Dave Hanson brings more than 28-years of clinical and organizational leadership experience in a wide-variety of healthcare settings including large academic medical centers, community hospitals and integrated health systems. Currently Dave serves as the Director of Program Strategy and Partnerships with the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
Recognized for his passion and talent at creating and sustaining organizational clinical excellence; Dave is a dynamic leader with a reputation for teambuilding, collaboration and an extraordinary role model for nurses who strive to advance the profession and quality of patient care. In 2007 – 2008, Dave served as the 38th President of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). AACN is the world’s largest specialty nursing organization representing the interests of more than 500,000 nurses who care for acutely and critically ill patients.
Dave was the first-ever clinical practice representative appointed to the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education & Accreditation Program Review Committee. In 2021, he was elected to the Board of Commissioners National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education & Accreditation to serve a 3-year term. An active speaker and author, Dave is widely recognized for his expertise in advanced pre-hospital care, cardiovascular care, workforce development, fostering true collaboration, building and sustaining healthy practice environments, transformational leadership and successfully mentoring new nurses. In addition, he has extensive knowledge and demonstrated outcomes in the area of nursing empowerment, employee satisfaction and engagement as well as the designation and re-designation process for ANCC Magnet Recognition®.
Dave earned his BSN from Indiana University, MSN from Texas Christian University and is a 5th year doctoral student in the PhD program at UCLA School of Nursing. He has worked as staff nurse, manager, service line director, clinical educator, advanced practice nurse, adjunct professor, executive director, associate chief nursing officer and chief nursing informatics officer. Dave’s a member of Sigma Theta Tau International, American Nurses Association, Association for Nursing Professional Development, American Assembly for Men in Nursing, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists and the American Organization of Nurse Leaders.
Some of Dave’s most significant honors include the Indiana University School of Nursing Top 100 Alumni Legacy Leader Award (2014), Greater Chicago Nursing Spectrum Excellence Award Finalist for Advancing & Leading the Profession (2010), Modern Healthcare’s 100 Most Powerful People in Healthcare Nominee (2008), American Association of Critical-Care Nurses Lifetime Member Award (2008), Texas Nurses Association Great 100 Nurse (1997) and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges (1992).