Velma Henderson, RN, MS, CNAA, BC, is an accomplished Administrator, Consultant, Trainer and Presenter. She retired as Chief Nursing Officer at Howard University Hospital Washington, D.C. where in addition to her regular duties, she developed and implemented a comprehensive, organization-wide Customer Service Improvement Plan. She also served as a board member for WomenHeart, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, the Chi Eta Phi Education Foundation, the National Black Nurse Association and the Nursing Spectrum. She is Past President of both the District of Columbia Organization of Nurse Executives (DCONE) and the Prince George’s County Chapter of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc.Henderson is a multiple award recipient, including the Helen S. Miller Award from Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. in recognition of her sustained advocacy and commitment to advancing the agenda of black nurses. She is a lifetime member of the National Council of Negro Women. In addition to her extensive administrative and clinical expertise, Henderson is a sought-after presenter and trainer, having held adjunct faculty positions at both the Howard University Colleges of Medicine and Nursing and Prince George’s Community College. She is a widow and the mother of two adult children, and is the proud grandmother of three grandsons. Henderson resides in Oxon Hill, MD.

Henderson is a long-time member of Chi Eta Phi Sorority and has served at the local, regional and national levels in elected and appointed positions.