Dr. Latoya O’Gere, DNP, MSN/Ed, RN, NE-BC

With over 17 years of experience to her credit, Dr. O’Gere is a board-certified nurse executive with expertise in clinical practice and nursing leadership. She recently joined Optum as the Director of Advisory Services providing subject matter expertise to drive positive quality and financial outcomes in healthcare. Before her current appointment at Optum, she worked at NYC Health and Hospital | Community Care as the Associate Executive Director for Chronic Disease & Performance Improvement and was later appointed as the Chief Quality Officer earlier in 2022. She also served as the Vice President of Operations at O’Gere Professional Nursing LLC from 2012 to 2019 where she ran operations to serve the United States Military by delivering vaccines, phlebotomy, and electrography at military bases throughout New York State. Dr. O’Gere began her nursing career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 2006 working in long-term care and Registered Professional Nurse (RN) in 2008 as a medical surgical nurse. Throughout the years she transitioned to nursing leadership in different roles at hospitals as performance improvement facilitator, associate nurse manager, and director of patient care services with a focus on cardiology and critical care. After embarking on her vocational journey as a LPN working in long-term care, Dr. O’Gere pursued a formal education and obtained an associate degree in nursing from SUNY Ulster in 2008, she subsequently continued her studies at St. Joseph’s University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2011 and a Master of Science in nursing education in 2018. In 2021, she obtained a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree with a focus on Healthcare Systems Leadership from Chamberlain University and board certification as a nurse executive from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

As part of her dedication to her profession, Dr. O’Gere remains affiliated with several industry-related organizations, including the American Nurses Association – Innovation Advisory Committee, the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing Phi Pi Chapter – Leadership Succession Committee, the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE), and Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). Adjacent to her professional endeavors, she also remains active as a civic-minded citizen, participating in volunteer activities for Springfield Baptist Church, the American Cancer Society, and an international sponsor at Food for the Hungry supporting children in Ethiopia. She is also a public speaker for the New York Organization of Nurse Executives and Leaders (NYONEL), the International Conference on Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease, and the International Conference on Nursing and Nursing Education. To commemorate her accomplishments in the field, Dr. O’Gere has been honored with several awards and accolades, including a Rising Star Award as an Alumni from Saint Joseph’s University in 2021 and the Claire Murray Best Practices Award from NYONEL, and International Speaker award from WYN Conferences.

Over the course of her accomplished career, Dr. O’Gere has largely attributed her success to the support of her family, colleagues, having strong mentors, and embarking on lifetime commitment to education and professional development. Considering her numerous achievements, she is notably proud of her work on the COVID-19 Isolation Hotel Implementation team at NYC Health and Hospitals | Community Care that served over 32,000 people in New York. Furthermore, she is grateful to have continued her education at the doctoral level at Chamberlain University which ultimately led to many advancements in her career. Dr. O’ Gere’s mission in nursing is to make an impact and inspire the future generation of nurses. She hopes to continue to learn and grow in her role at Optum and is committed to transforming healthcare for patients, families, and communities.