Getting to Know Amber Nealy — The Inaugural Chief Nursing Officer of Ambulatory and Cancer Services

Amber Nealy, MSN, R.N., NE-BC, recently took on the role of Chief Nursing Officer of Ambulatory and Cancer Services at OU Health, bringing with her a deep connection to OU Health and a strong love for nursing. Her mother worked as a nurse in the emergency department of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital OU Health in the late 80s, and later worked at OU Health Physicians Family Medicine Clinic until retiring in 2020. Nealy followed in her mother’s footsteps and started working for OU Health in 2008.

From Learner to Leader

But Nealy’s path to OU Health started as a learner at the flagship academic health system. In high school, Nealy participated in a program through OU Health Sciences that helped students transition into a career in healthcare. While Nealy knew she wanted to work in healthcare, she wasn’t sure in which role. Initially her instructor recommended she consider becoming a surgeon, but Nealy knew that wasn’t what she wanted to do.

“In our program, we were shadowing physicians in the family medicine clinic, and we were able to watch minor procedures,” recalls Nealy. “A patient was having his ingrown toenail removed, and during the procedure, my best friend fainted and my brother thought the whole thing was cool. All I could think about was how the patient needed his pain to be managed better.”

For Nealy, it was a natural progression that she would go from the health sciences program to college, and then onto a career with OU Health. She didn't want to leave the state for college or work at another hospital. She knew she wanted to work at OU Health, just like her mother.

Nealy studied nursing at Langston University and started working as a nurse partner in the OU Health Inpatient Adult Medicine Specialty Unit in 2008. Since then, she has held various roles including as a clinical R.N., clinical supervisor, and clinical manager, and has also served as the director of operations in Adult Endoscopy. Nealy chaired the Nursing Ancillary and Advisory Council for Epic Implementation and participated in numerous other committees. She is a certified Nurse Executive by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.

“No one should have to leave Oklahoma to access the most advanced She was marked as a leader early in her career and found that she drew people wanting her expertise.

“As a charge nurse, people would come to me and ask for help,” she said. “Helping and teaching became natural, and then as a supervisor having more direct reports, I was able to lead even more. It was a natural progression. Even in my undergrad studies I had some leadership responsibilities, so it was not uncommon for me to be in a leadership role.”

Centralizing Excellence: Transforming Ambulatory and Cancer Services

As Chief Nursing Officer of Ambulatory and Cancer Services, Nealy oversees 96 outpatient locations across the state. She is responsible for the nursing practice, governance, guidelines, and structure of those services, and how they facilitate patient care.

Prior to this new position, there was no centralized standard for nursing care in the clinic or ambulatory setting. Part of Nealy’s new role is to create standard work practices in line with the OU Health Way and nursing professional practice model at the enterprise level.

Nealy is creating practices with clearly defined roles, expectations, and standards, so that nurses and nurse leaders can excel and thrive. A transformative change includes the Ambulatory and Cancer Services departments across all locations which are participating in new programs with vocational and nursing programs—training students in the OU Health environment. They are hosting students in the outpatient clinics with nursing students able to start their careers within outpatient ambulatory clinics, which was not an option before. By creating and sustaining a nursing pipeline and workforce, the Ambulatory and Cancer Services are part of their training. This extends to some vocational programs, such as medical assistants and LPNs. The interprofessional approach is not solely R.N.-based. There is the ability to lead both licensed and unlicensed individuals.

With this centralization, Nealy has noted that the Ambulatory and Cancer Services are already attracting new nurses who can train with OU Health and stay with OU Health through their career progression.

Fostering a Supportive and Resilient Nursing Workforce

Nealy brings her passion for people into the new role and is inspired by attracting and growing talent.

“As you lift people and help them develop emotionally and spiritually, it helps them grow,” she said. “It’s not always about the career—I want my nurses to take care of themselves and each other, and when they do that, they can provide exceptional patient care.”

Nealy’s focus is on excellence in clinical nursing care in an ambulatory setting. The goal is to provide nursing care that is of such a high level that fewer patients will need to be admitted to the hospital. Managing care in the community means that the patient spends more time at home with their loved ones, and less time in the hospital, and this is something Nealy is passionate about.

“Providing excellence in outpatient care means that patients get to do the things that matter to them, rather than being in the hospital,” said Nealy. “They get the care they need, and they can retain their autonomy. They can choose how they spend their time.”

Nealy loves to spend her time with family playing games—the more competitive the better! She also enjoys reading mystery books to feed her curious mind, and to recharge.

Nealy stresses the importance of connecting with people and in establishing that basic human connection that's consistent across all generations. As a leader she serves and leads by example, prioritizing relationships and people, and driving Ambulatory and Cancer services to expand the care for Oklahomans statewide and beyond.

Nealy’s journey to Chief Nursing Officer of Ambulatory and Cancer Services at OU Health exemplifies her dedication to nursing and her unwavering commitment to patient care. As she continues to inspire and lead her team, Nealy remains focused on fostering a supportive and resilient workforce. Her goal is not only to elevate the standards of outpatient care but also to ensure that every patient receives the highest quality of care. By doing so, she advances the academic health system’s mission of integrating clinical care, education, and research. Nealy is also committed to positioning OU Health as the premier choice for patients and a top employer for talented healthcare professionals in Oklahoma. With her unique blend of personal experience, professional expertise, and heartfelt compassion, Nealy is set to make a significant impact on the future of ambulatory and cancer care at OU Health.

Learn more about making a difference in the lives of Oklahomans and the various career journeys and opportunities for nurses at OU Health by visiting OUHealth.com/Nursing.