Dahlia Maldonado, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, NPD-BC, NEA-BC
Dahlia Maldonado is a Nursing Excellence Lead at UCLA Health and a passionate nurse leader, healthcare policy advocate, and lifelong learner. She earned her BS in Nursing and Healthcare Policy from Mount Saint Mary’s University and her MSN in Leadership from Western Governors University. Her accomplishments include receiving the DAISY Nurse and Nurse Leader awards and the ACNL Emerging Leader Award, as well as serving as a fellow with ANA\California, the American Nurses Advocacy Institute, the Commission for Nurse Reimbursement Fellowship in Nursing Economics, and Vot-ER. She is actively engaged in advancing nursing through policy and advocacy, serving with organizations including the National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Association of California Nurse Leaders, ANA Nurses Action Society, and American Organization for Nursing Leadership.
Outside of work, Dahlia enjoys spending time with her rescue pugs and cats, watching documentaries, and listening to true crime podcasts. She is inspired by the Grey’s Anatomy quote, “If you become frightened, instead become inspired,” and believes that some of life’s greatest lessons come from challenges and failures. These experiences have shaped her resilience, strengthened her purpose, and continue to inspire her commitment to making a difference in nursing and healthcare.