Alexander inducted into NCNA Hall of Fame

Groundie Rumay Alexander, EdD, RN, FAAN, has been inducted into the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA) Hall of Fame. The honor was presented during the association’s annual convention held September 11–12, 2025, at the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem.

The NCNA Hall of Fame represents the highest recognition for registered nurses in North Carolina who demonstrate exceptional leadership and sustained contributions to the profession. Dr. Alexander received a standing ovation for her influential work advancing equity and inclusion in nursing.

Dr. Alexander’s groundbreaking 45-year career has positioned her at the forefront of nursing’s most critical conversations around racism, equity, and inclusive excellence. As Scholar-In-Residence for the American Nurses Association’s National Commission to Address Racism in Nursing, she has led transformative initiatives that center the experiences of nurses of color and address systemic barriers within the profession.

National Leadership and Historic Firsts

Dr. Alexander’s influence extends beyond the field of nursing. She is the only nurse serving on the Leapfrog Group Board, a national organization focused on healthcare transparency and quality. Her policy expertise has also led to appointments with the American Hospital Association’s Commission on Workforce for Hospitals and Health Systems, the Tri-Council of Nursing, and the National Quality Forum’s steering committee for nursing-sensitive care standards.

Transforming North Carolina Nursing

Nursing in North Carolina has been shaped in part by the leadership of Dr. Rumay Alexander. As a consultant to the North Carolina Nurses Association, she helped develop the organization’s Racial Reckoning Statement, approved in September 2023. The statement formally acknowledged past actions that harmed nurses of color and committed the association to ongoing accountability and inclusive practices. She now mentors participants in NCNA’s Diversity in Nursing Leadership Fellowship, providing guidance on race and equity in the profession.

Academic Excellence and Recognition

Dr. Alexander earned her BSN from the University of Tennessee, MSN as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Vanderbilt University, and EdD in Education Administration from Tennessee State University. Her expertise in fostering inclusive communities has led to speaking engagements at universities, hospitals, and associations nationwide. Her contributions have been recognized through numerous prestigious awards, including American Nurses Association President’s Award (2022), Vanderbilt University School of Nursing’s First Alumni Award for Diversity (2020), Xavier University’s Social Determinants of Health Champion and Inclusion Award (2019), American Academy of Nursing Fellowship (2013), and Southern Regional Education Board M. Elizabeth Carnegie Award (2013).

Creating Lasting Change

Committed to creating safe environments that maximize curiosity and self-awareness, she has led Crucial Conversations during her tenure as Associate Vice Chancellor. “Dr. Alexander has been the ‘conscience’ of our profession, always challenging us to think deeply about our actions and their impact on nurses of color,” noted one of her nominators. Her leadership of the Commission’s foundational report on racism in nursing and her role in organizing “Equity in Nursing: A Summit for Change,” which convened more than 200 changemakers, exemplifies her commitment to actionable transformation rather than symbolic gestures.

The NCNA Hall of Fame honors nurses with extensive records of leadership and achievement in North Carolina. Inductees may be living or deceased, and selection reflects the association’s highest honor.

For more information about the NCNA Hall of Fame and other award recipients, visit ncnurses.org.

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