Khalilah McCants

Khalilah McCants serves as an Assistant Professor at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS) in the Graduate School of Nursing, specializing in the Adult Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist Program. Her work bridges clinical practice, healthcare leadership, and policy development to drive systemic improvements in patient outcomes.

Her academic foundation includes:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (2018), University of Virginia
• Master of Science in Nursing (2016), University of Virginia
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2007), University of Alabama, Huntsville
• Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (1998), Texas Southern University

Dr. McCants' research portfolio centers on Quality, Health Systems, Health Policy, Case Management, Ethics, and Health Disparities, with a focus on converting complex data into actionable strategies. Her approach integrates cultural competence and preventive care to address systemic inequities, particularly in chronic disease management for vulnerable populations. She emphasizes leadership frameworks that enhance organizational effectiveness while prioritizing ethical patient-centered care.

Her publication record demonstrates consistent focus on optimizing care transitions and reducing hospital readmissions, particularly for comorbid conditions like heart failure and diabetes. This work reflects broader trends in health services research targeting cost-effective interventions within complex healthcare systems.

Key recognitions include:

• Fellowship through International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL) – CAE for simulation

Dr. McCants has secured competitive funding including a grant for her "Preventive Cancer Information" initiative and contributed to the Mayo/Yale Center for Outcomes Research Evaluation's diabetes quality measure development. Her leadership extends to Lean Six Sigma-driven projects improving risk stratification at Fortune 500 companies and utilization review efficiency through the Frontline Leadership program.

Her career trajectory spans congressional policy work with Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, federal service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, clinical leadership in medical-surgical nursing, and innovative nonprofit development – showcasing a unique integration of policy acumen, clinical expertise, and systems-level problem solving.