faculty

Expertise
Leadership, health care, disaster recovery, strategic planning, communication, teambuilding

Experience
Gale was commissioned as an Army Nurse Officer on graduation from the University of Maryland. She rapidly sought more education and responsibility and became a certified registered nurse anesthetist. Prior to chairing the anesthesia department of anesthesia at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, she served in both Army and Department of Defense positions at the Pentagon. With her prowess in strategic planning, she led a strategic thinktank for the Army Surgeon General. As a Colonel, Gale was the first nurse selected for promotion to Major General. As the 22nd Chief of the Army Nurse Corps, Gale was responsible for all nursing issues and nursing care in combat and on military communities around the world. After the Army Surgeon General was fired, Gale became the Acting Surgeon General, the first woman or non-physician in this role in the military and responsible for all Army health care around the world and a $9.7B budget. She tackled issues and concerns of Congressional leadership, beneficiaries and the media, building relationships and restoring trust in the Army Medical Department. After leaving the Army, Gale was selected by the Secretary of the Army to represent the Army on the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services where she addressed multiple challenges facing women in uniform. Still focused on communication, team building and addressing strategic challenges, Gale actively advocates for the rapidly growing low vision community in America.

Scholarly Work/Publications/Awards
Gale started writing with her article, "Health Promotion--Is the Price Right?" published by Texas Hospitals, explaining the importance of health and wellness before it was realized essential by the healthcare community. With multiple articles on teamwork and communication she sustained her focus on sharing perspectives and process. Recognized for her skillful leadership during the Army Medical Department crisis, Gale was recognized by the American Legion Auxiliary as “Woman of the Year,” an honor she shares with Barbara Bush and Condoleezza Rice. For her dedication, the U.S. Army Infantry Association awarded Gale the Order of Saint Maurice. The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists awarded her the Agatha Hodgins Achievement award for her unique advancement of the profession.

Education
Advanced Leadership Initiative, Fellow, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
DPS, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
MS, National Resource Strategy, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington DC
MS, Health Care Administration, Baylor University, Waco, TX
MS, Business Administration, Boston University, Boston, MA
BS, Nursing, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Organizations
Covalon Technologies, LTD, Board Member and Chair of Governance
Draper Laboratories, Member of the Corporation

Personal
Gale is committed to fitness and you often find her at “boot camp,” riding horses, hiking, biking or kayaking with
her spouse, Doug (USMA 81) and her English Labrador, Cruiser.