Dr. Rhonda A. Scott
Chief Operating Officer
Grady Health System
Dr. Rhonda A. Scott is the chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Grady Health System. She has been widely recognized for her positive contributions in her work environment, including eliminating the use of contract agency nursing, improving the visibility of nursing in the workplace and partnering with colleges and universities to increase the number of graduate level nurses.
“What I think best prepared me for my current position is my experience as a clinical advanced practice nurse,” she says. “I am still connected to clinical practice, so I understand what nurses are talking about when discussing practice and patient care issues. I believe staying connected to the day-to-day operations makes me a more effective leader.”
Dr. Scott received her Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Master of Science in nursing from Rush University in Chicago and a Ph.D. in nursing science with a focus on advanced practice nursing and health care administration from Georgia State University.
Due to her hard work in the health care community, Dr. Scott received the Tenet Healthcare Corporation Outstanding Chief Nursing Officer of the Year Award, noted as the highest recognition for nursing leadership and administration; the Health Care Hero Award by the Atlanta Business Chronicle; the Profiles in Nursing Award by the American Black Nurses Association; and the Woman of Distinction Award from Chick-fil-A and Russell Athletics.
When Dr. Scott has time away from her busy schedule, she surrounds herself with family. She is married to Thomas N. Scott, a financial advisor, and they have two sons, Thomas Lee, a graduate of Morehouse College and the Newhouse School of Journalism, Syracuse University; and David, a student-athlete at Birmingham-Southern College.
“My children motivate me,” she says. “I want to be a good role model for them.”
