Gary Hicks, Stevenson alumnus and nursing faculty member, was recently named President of the Maryland Board of Nursing. Appointed as a board member by Governor Larry Hogan in 2016, his mission is to advance safe quality care in Maryland through licensure, certification, education, and accountability for public protection.
Hicks says, “Serving as Board President allows me the opportunity to give back to the profession that has allowed me to be so successful in my professional career. I have been very fortunate to have great leaders and mentors who have helped me be successful in my career achievements.”
Hicks began his career at University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health (UM UCH) in 1987 and has since held a variety of positions. A certified emergency nurse, he has worked in that field for over 18 years. UM UCH is the leading health care system and largest private employer in Harford County. Hicks was named the 2016 Nurse of the Year by Upper Chesapeake Medical Center. Hicks has served as director of education at UM UCH since 2013 and is responsible for directing, managing, and coordinating the education and resource development department. In this role, he oversees the planning, design, implementation, and evaluation of a variety of team member, patient, and community education programs.
Hicks earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Stevenson University and both a master’s degree in nursing and post-graduate certificate in nursing education from Towson University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Morgan State University in higher education administration. Hicks is a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Emergency Nurses Association, National League of Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society.
An active member of the community, Hicks serves as an adjunct nursing faculty member and as a nursing advisory board member at Stevenson University. He also serves as an advisory board member to the Baltimore County Public School System. His previous roles have included chair of the Emergency Department Education Committee at UM UCH, state treasurer of the Emergency Nurses Association—Maryland, and president of the Emergency Nurses Association–Metropolitan Baltimore Chapter.
Judith Feustle, Sc.D, RN, Associate Dean, Nursing at Stevenson University notes, “Stevenson University is proud to see one of our own alumni in such an important role. Gary is strongly committed to education and to nursing, and I am grateful that he serves on the faculty of his alma mater in a capacity that impacts the lives of future generations of nurses.”