Dr. LaDonna Thomas is a Nurse Practitioner for the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is the inaugural Chief Nurse Practitioner for the Durham VA Health Care System and was the inaugural Lead NP for the Veteran’s Service Integrated Network (VISN 6). Dr. Thomas holds a BS degree in Biology from NC A&T State University, a BSN from NC Central University, a master’s degree from UNC Greensboro and a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from Chatham University. She is a recipient of several awards, including the VA Secretary’s Award for Nursing Excellence, and the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina. Dr. Thomas was also named by AMSUS (Association of Military Surgeons of the United States, the society of federal health professionals) as 2021 Nurse of the Year across the entire federal health system.  She was selected by the Dean of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland as a Fellow with the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery.

North Carolina is the only state in the nation where nurses elect board members to their state’s regulatory Board.  Notably, Dr. Thomas was elected twice by her peers to the North Carolina Board of Nursing and elected as chair in 2024. Dr. Thomas is an author of a children’s book intended to inspire all ages to pursue a career in nursing and become a member of the Board of Nursing. Additionally, she loves spending time with her husband and son, engaging in community and mission work globally.