Launette Woolforde-Gardner, Ed.D(c), DNP
Age: 38, Corporate Director, Nursing Education
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, New Hyde Park, N.Y.
Launette Woolforde-Gardner declares that nursing is her calling. She is passionate about health and education, and she has the experience and background to prove it. A registered nurse for 17 years, she has worked in many positions, from staff nurse to assistant director of nursing. She currently is the corporate director for nursing education at the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, where she oversees related activities for the system’s 15 hospitals, 10,000 nurses and other health staff.
Woolforde is a Guyanese–American whose family settled in Long Island. She has lived there for 31 years. She has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pace University, a master’s degree in adult health nursing — clinical nurse specialist — from Hunter College of the City University of New York, a post-master’s certificate in nursing education from the College of New Rochelle, a doctorate of nursing practice (focusing on the clinical aspects of nursing, rather than academic research) from Case Western Reserve University, and six certifications in aspects of nursing, education, decision making and problem solving. She is also near completion of a doctorate of education at Teachers College, Columbia University. Over the course of these studies, Woolforde has won more than 16 scholarships and awards. “I believe that being equipped in the full breadth and scope of organizational leadership, along with research generation, translation and implementation, maximizes my impact as a health-care leader,” she says.
An Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority member since 1991, Woolforde is as passionate about mentoring as she is about nursing and education. She hopes to establish a program to inspire, motivate and guide young people to choose education and maximize their potential.
Fun facts
Favorite food:Pepperpot
Favorite charity: Hope for a Healthier Humanity
First car: Mitsubishi Montero
What actress should play you in a movie: Angela Bassett
Favorite singer: Bob Marley
Movie theater or home theater: Home theater
