Karen Drenkard
About Karen Drenkard
Karen Drenkard serves as the Associate Dean for Clinical Practice and Community Engagement at The George Washington University, where she has worked since 2019. She holds a PhD in Nursing Administration, Policy, and Ethics, and has extensive experience in nursing leadership across various organizations.
Work at The George Washington University
Karen Drenkard serves as the Associate Dean for Clinical Practice and Community Engagement at The George Washington University. She has held this position since 2019, contributing to the School of Nursing's initiatives in community partnerships and global activities. In her role, she leads the Center for Health Policy and Media Engagement and the Center for Aging and Humanities, focusing on enhancing nursing practice and community health.
Education and Expertise
Karen Drenkard has an extensive educational background in nursing and administration. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Registered Nursing from The Sage Colleges - Russell Sage College between 1976 and 1980. She then pursued a Master's of Science in Nursing Administration at Marymount University from 1983 to 1986. Additionally, she obtained a Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing Administration, Policy, and Ethics from George Mason University from 2003 to 2006. She also participated in the RWJ Executive Nurse Fellow program from 2003 to 2006.
Professional Background
Before her current role, Karen Drenkard held several significant positions in the healthcare sector. She served as the Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Inova Health System from 1999 to 2008. Following this, she was the Executive Director and CEO of the American Nurses Credentialing Center from 2008 to 2013. Most recently, she worked as the Senior Vice President and Chief Nurse Officer at GetWellNetwork from 2014 to 2019.
Leadership and Community Engagement
In her role as Associate Dean, Karen Drenkard oversees community partnerships and strategic leadership for the School of Nursing's global activities. Her leadership extends to the Centers she manages, which focus on health policy, media engagement, and aging. Through these initiatives, she aims to enhance nursing practices and address community health needs.