Leslie Hawkins, MBA, MSN, RN, NHDP-BC
Leslie Hawkins, MBA, MSN, RN, NHDP-BC, is a seasoned healthcare operations and nursing leader currently serving as Regional Home Manager at DaVita Kidney Care. With over 15 years of progressive experience, Leslie has built a career focused on leading clinical teams, driving operational excellence, and advancing patient-centered outcomes. Her expertise spans acute care, emergency management, research, and regional program leadership, overseeing multiple home dialysis programs where she emphasizes growth, quality, and teammate development.
Leslie combines clinical insight with strategic acumen, holding dual master’s degrees in Nursing Leadership and Business Administration from Grand Canyon University. Her professional philosophy centers on building high-performing teams, mentoring emerging leaders, and creating innovative structures that enhance safety, efficiency, and patient experience. Throughout her career, she has leveraged evidence-based practice, shared governance, and disaster preparedness to foster excellence across the healthcare settings she has served.
Before joining DaVita, Leslie held key leadership roles at Chesapeake Regional Healthcare and Sentara Obici Hospital, progressing from frontline nursing to supervisory and emergency management positions. Her extensive background includes Magnet program leadership, quality assurance, and emergency preparedness. Leslie’s accomplishments have been recognized through multiple awards, including the 2021 Healthcare Heroes Award for Innovation and Research and several nursing excellence accolades. Her ongoing commitment to professional growth and patient advocacy underscores her role as a transformative leader in healthcare.
• RN
• NHDP-BC
• Grand Canyon University - MSN
• Dr. Candace Rogers Leadership Award
• Nursing Excellence
• Magnet-related awards
• 2021 Healthcare Heroes Award
• 2022 We Care Award
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my early and sustained passion for healthcare. I began taking EMT classes at 16 and, after graduating high school early, continued to build on that foundation. I genuinely love what I do, and that passion has driven me to work diligently toward earning two master’s degrees. Today, I am proud to hold a leadership position where I can mentor and support other nurses, helping them grow and succeed in their careers.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that you can build a career you love—as long as you work hard and stay persistent. A family member encouraged me to return to school, which became a pivotal moment in my journey. That advice led me to pursue nursing and further my education, ultimately opening doors to the opportunities I have today.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering healthcare is to find work that truly calls to you. Seek out mentorship, pursue continued education, and remain open to the many pathways nursing can offer. As you grow, look for opportunities to step into leadership—this allows you to multiply your impact beyond individual patient care. I’ve been fortunate to receive honors like the Dr. Candice Rogers Leadership Award and the Nurse Excellence and Leadership Award, and these recognitions remind me that dedication, passion, and leadership can make a real difference in the lives of others.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing the demands of being there for everyone who needs me—both at work and at home—especially now that I’ve transitioned from being a floor nurse to a leadership role. The healthcare field continues to navigate workforce changes since COVID, as well as the ongoing complexities of people management. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities: advancing clinical innovation, expanding home-based care, implementing evidence-based practices, and developing community-focused programs. These opportunities allow me to shape care in meaningful ways while supporting and empowering my team.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are rooted in service, growth, and balance. I am deeply committed to patient-centered care, mentorship, and developing strong, empowered teams. Continuous learning, innovation, and maintaining operational integrity are also central to how I approach my work. At the same time, being present for my family as a wife and mother is equally important, allowing me to honor my calling in healthcare while nurturing the people I love most.