Tanya Lott

Tanya Lott, winner of the Philip D. Raso Scholarship, holds a master of science in nursing degree from the Medical University of South Carolina (2003) and a bachelor of science in nursing degree from Charleston Southern University (1999). She is currently a doctoral student in the University of South Carolina Doctor of Nursing Practice- Executive Leadership Program. She is board certified as a perinatal nurse through the American Nurses’ Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Tanya has worked in a variety of settings throughout her nineteen years as a nurse. Her entire nursing career has been with the Roper St. Francis Healthcare System in Charleston, SC. Clinically, she is a neonatal nurse and staffs in the Special Care Nursery to maintain her certification. She was an Education Specialist in the Professional Development department, and also served as an adjunct clinical instructor for Charleston Southern University. Currently, Tanya is the Magnet Program Director for Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital. She has served in this role for nine years and has helped to lead the organization to ANCC Magnet designation in 2010 and 2015.

Tanya is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International, American Nurses Association, South Carolina Nurses Association, and the American Organization of Nurse Executives (AONE). She has presented numerous poster and podium presentations at national and international conferences as well as published several articles. She has also served as a co-investigator for several nursing research studies and helps to facilitate nursing research in her organization. Tanya’s current passion is in the engagement of clinical nurses in shared decision-making and creating a professional work environment that enhances the leadership of bedside staff. She recently published an article in Nurse Leader and presented a webinar for the American Nurses’ Association on this topic. Her DNP project is focused on implementing a formal evidence-based practice mentor program to enhance the culture of clinical inquiry in her organization. She loves to travel and recently participated in a healthcare study abroad trip through the University of South Carolina College of Nursing to Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The focus of the University of South Carolina’s Doctor of Nursing Practice is to prepare advanced practice nurses and nurse administrators to assume leadership roles in practice or administrative positons. It also prepares students to evaluate and apply research to improve patient care and participate in a nursing leadership program. Tanya plans to use her latest degree to achieve her future goals of continuing in nursing leadership positions and in leading organizations on the continuous pursuit of nursing excellence.