ASU Alum is a force in shaping the future of health care

A chance encounter with a nurse planted a seed in Diane Drexler’s mind that would grow into something life-changing. She was 15 at the time, visiting a friend who had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in the hospital.

“That nurse was there for me when I needed it most,” Drexler recalled. “She explained what was happening and helped me make sense of the situation. That moment sparked something in me, I realized this is what I wanted to do for others.”

Over her three-plus decades in health care, she’s been able to do that and so much more, moving from the bedside to the C-suite.

Today, Drexler is Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Community Memorial Health System, managing more than 1,000 employees and a multimillion-dollar operating budget.

She’s also a proud ASU Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation alumna.

A self-described lifelong learner, Drexler chose ASU nursing for her penultimate nursing degree, a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a concentration in innovation leadership.

The program is designed to turn experienced nurses into health care leaders and problem-solvers who will improve hospital systems, policies, and importantly patient care.

“The DNP program taught me the importance of critical thinking and gave me the foundation to lead with compassion and insight,” she said.

Those newly honed skills were put into practice almost immediately as Drexler graduated from the program and took a new role just as the COVID-19 pandemic was beginning.

One of her first major tasks was developing the facility’s COVID-19 response plan. She relied on her experience and education, focusing on creating systems of support that included emotional care groups to ensure her team was well-cared for so they could provide the best possible care to patients.

“They were giving everything to their patients and we needed to give back to them,” Drexler said.

Since that time, she’s continued to grow and achieve in her career. Just last year she was recognized as a "CNO to Know" by Becker's Hospital Review.

But for Drexler, being in charge isn’t just about decision-making or overseeing operations, it’s also about fostering an environment where people feel supported and empowered, which results in better patient outcomes.

“There’s always more work to be done,” Drexler said. “But I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and will keep pushing for the improvements that will make a difference in health care for everyone.”

Her career is still evolving, but Drexler’s come full circle. The care and guidance she received as a teen inspired her to do the same for others, while the DNP program equipped her to lead with expertise and empathy, setting up her team to make their own impact on health care.

Story written by Aastha Negi.