Kelly Irving, MSN, RN, has more than 26 years of nursing experience, including 22 years in various nursing leadership positions. As Associate Director Patient Care Services (ADPCS), she serves as a key member of the medical center senior management team; providing leadership and expert knowledge for the VA’s state-of-the-art medical facility and nine community-based outpatient clinics in southeast Texas.
Ms. Irving attended Southern University in New Orleans and received her BSN from Our Lady of Holy Cross College, now University of Holy Cross in New Orleans in May of 1993. She received a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 1998. Additionally, she received an Enterostomal Therapy Certificate from the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center in 1997. Ms. Irving is also a graduate of VISN 16 Leadership Development Institute (LDI) and Advanced LDI. She received a certificate in Nursing Leadership from the Texas Medical Center Nurse Executive Advisory Council in 2015.
Ms. Irving started her nursing career at West Jefferson Medical Center in New Orleans as a registered nurse on a busy Ortho/Neurology unit and advanced to Clinical Coordinator. She later became the Clinical Manager and consulting board certified wound and ostomy nurse for a Diabetes, Endocrine/Wound Care Center sharing her expertise in wound care.
Ms. Irving has been with the Department of Veterans Affairs since March 2005 and has worked at three VA medical centers including Michael E. DeBakey VAMC in Houston where she started as a Nurse Manager in 2006 and has served as an Associate Chief Nurse of Operations and the Deputy Associate Director for Patient Care Services. She was appointed to Associate Director Patient Care Services/Chief Nurse in 2014, where she continues to serve.
Ms. Irving lead MEDVAMC to Magnet designation by American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2014 and 2019. ANCC’s Magnet designation is the highest and most prestigious credential a healthcare organization can achieve for nursing excellence and quality patient care. MEDVAMC is the only VA to achieve this designation four times. MEDVAMC has sustained one of the lowest RN turnover rates in the country at 2.9%.
Ms. Irving is a member of numerous professional nursing organization committing her time and leadership expertise. She also serves as a Certified Mentor in the VA system mentoring nursing leaders and giving back to her community. She is a member of the Krewe of Athena (KOA) supporting debutantes and future professionals.
