Dr. Bob Dent

Dr. Bob Dent is a nationally and internationally recognized healthcare leadership speaker, executive coach, and bestselling author with more than 35 years of experience leading complex healthcare organizations and developing leaders at every level. As a former Chief Nursing Officer and past president of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), Dr. Dent is widely respected as a trusted voice in leadership, culture transformation, and caregiver well-being.

Dr. Dent has delivered more than 200 keynote presentations, workshops, and breakout sessions across healthcare systems, universities, and leadership conferences worldwide. His work focuses on building cultures of ownership, relentless and resilient leadership, trauma-informed leadership, and mental health advocacy for caregivers and patients.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and Master of Business Administration (MBA), Dr. Dent blends clinical insight with business acumen and human-centered leadership. His approach equips leaders to move beyond policies and procedures and instead create purpose-driven cultures rooted in trust, accountability, and compassion.

Areas of Expertise

• Healthcare leadership and executive coaching
• Culture transformation and ownership-based leadership
• Relentless and resilient leadership
• Mental health and well-being in the workplace
• Trauma-informed leadership
• Caregiver engagement and retention

1. Culture by Design, Not Default: Building a Culture of Ownership That Lasts

This flagship keynote provides leaders with a blueprint for creating sustainable, ownership-driven cultures that positively impact staff engagement, patient outcomes, and organizational performance.

Key Takeaways:

• Moving beyond policies to purpose-driven culture
• Equipping teams with self-empowerment and emotional resilience
• Transforming toxic behaviors into accountability and trust
• Sustaining culture change that delivers measurable results

2. The R&R Leader: Relentless & Resilient Leadership in Times of Change

A powerful framework for leading with grit, grace, and clarity during disruption, uncertainty, and ongoing change.

Key Takeaways:

• Strengthening resilience in yourself and your team
• Aligning people with mission and values under pressure
• Practical tools for courageous, adaptive leadership

3. Mental Health & Well-Being: Leading with Courage and Compassion

This keynote addresses the growing mental health crisis in healthcare and the leader’s role in creating psychologically safe, supportive environments.

Key Takeaways:

• Normalizing conversations about mental health
• Creating psychologically safe workplaces
• Reducing burnout through leader-led well-being strategies

Professional Highlights

• 35+ years of healthcare leadership experience
• Past President, American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL)
• 200+ keynote presentations delivered globally
• Advanced Certified Coach (ACC, ICF)
• Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN)
• Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE)
• Fellow of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (FAONL)

Education & Credentials

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP); Master of Business Administration (MBA); Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

Books & Programs

Author and co-author of multiple award-winning leadership books including *Building a Culture of Ownership in Healthcare* and *The Heart of a Nurse Leader*. Creator of the Next Level Nurse Leader Academy, Leadership LaunchPad Toolkit, and Culture of Ownership in 100 Days.

Travel Availability

Available for national and international speaking engagements.

Contact & Representation

For booking inquiries, keynote availability, and media requests, please contact TMG Speakers Bureau.