Dr. Rick García has over 20 years of active clinical nursing practice across numerous administrative and clinical settings that include hospitals, universities and state boards. The Florida native currently works as director of education for the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN), in Washington D.C.

Previously, he held many administrative and leadership roles while continuing to practice nursing. Those efforts include serving as chair of the education committee and registered nurse member of the District of Columbia Board of Nursing; as executive director of the Florida Board of Nursing; and as chair of the New York State Board of Nursing’s practice committee. Rick also previously worked as director of clinical services for a private urological practice in Tallahassee, and administrator of its ambulatory surgery center.

A few firsts in Rick’s career include pioneering the Maternal-Child Case Management Team at Georgetown University Medical Center for the neonatal, obstetrics, and pediatric intensive care units. Rick later served as a founding case manager at the President’s Flagship Hospital at National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, where he focused on providing care to active-duty members, their families, and retirees.

In his free time, Rick likes to cycle, take long walks, spend time outdoors exploring, and catching up with family and friends. Rick gives back through the Florida State Association of Occupational Health Nurses, and has been recognized as Nurse of the Year 2016 for his volunteer service.