N.C. A&T Alumna Leads School of Nursing Affinity Group

The field of nursing is one of the fastest-growing industries, especially with the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic. For nearly, two years, the world has seen the resilience and strength of nurses who continue to stand on the frontlines.  

Since 2009, the School of Nursing has offered an affinity group to provide mentorship to fellow Aggie alumni in the field of nursing. 

The School of Nursing Affinity Group (SONAG) was founded by Dr. Erma Smith King ‘74 and is organized to provide consultation and advice to the department, help with recruitment efforts of qualified faculty and students, provide scholarships, and offer a professional network of alumni.  

The current president, Dana Lee Hines ‘00, a native of High Point, North Carolina, has been a nurse for more than 20 years and is passionate about showing care to others.  

“I originally thought I wanted to be a social worker but there was a nurse who encouraged me to try nursing. She mentioned to me that she could see me caring for patients as a CNA. I took some time to think about it and changed my major, to follow my true passion for nursing. I eventually found out my grandmother was a nurse back in the 50s who transitioned later into social work. So it was always in my blood,” said Hines. 

“I credit my grandmother for teaching me how to stay involved and active with A&T because she is a long-time member of the Gate City Alumni Chapter of North Carolina A&T State University and a member of the Aggie Athletic Foundation, formerly the Aggie Club.” 

Hines is an adult geriatric nurse practitioner for Eventus WholeHealth and the primary care provider for two nursing homes and she is the owner of Hines Health and Wellness, PLLC, which focuses on teaching the community the signs and symptoms of stroke for heart health. Also, she manages a medical weight loss clinic and sets up blood pressure and diabetes clinics in the community. She is also the vice president for Carolina Nurses League, a non profit organization that hosted its first annual nurses’ ball during Nurses Week, “The Year of The Nurse,” in Greensboro N.C.

Since its incorporation, SONAG has been instrumental in awarding scholarships to nursing students and fully funding the Dr. Willetta Jones Endowment. To date, the fund has increased from $30,586 to $65,000. 

“In SONAG, we value giving back to our students through mentoring and financial assistance. North Carolina A&T has given so much to many of us and it’s only right to support the School of Nursing,” said Hines. 

To learn more about the School of Nursing Affinity Group, please visit www.sonag.org or email at sonag@sonag.org. For alumni, interested in signing up for the SONAG database, please complete the link by clicking here.