Houston VA’s Chief Nurse Honored with 2026 NBNA Trailblazer Award

Houston VA’s chief nurse is recognized nationally for leadership that touches nearly every aspect of Veteran care

Dr. Michael Simmons, associate director for patient care services (chief nurse) at the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, has been named a recipient of the 2026 Trailblazer Award from the National Black Nurses Association (NBNA).

About the Trailblazer Award

The Trailblazer Award recognizes people whose character and leadership set them apart, honoring those who take risks and lead their communities, states and the nation in fields ranging from nursing and business to philanthropy, communications, government, education and the arts.

Leadership at Houston VA

At Houston VA, a medical center honored five consecutive times with the prestigious Magnet recognition for nursing excellence by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Simmons provides strategic leadership and oversight for Nursing, Social Work, Sterile Processing and Chaplaincy services. He guides teams that touch nearly every aspect of Veteran care.

“Dr. Simmons represents the best of what we do here at Houston VA,” said Amir Farooqi, executive director of the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center. “His dedication to our Veterans goes far beyond clinical expertise; it’s the way he fiercely advocates for the care our Veterans deserve and the way he leads his team with both high standards and genuine compassion. This award recognizes what all of us who work alongside him already know: He doesn’t just meet the mission of caring for those who served—he embodies it.”

Extensive VA and healthcare experience

Before joining Houston VA, Simmons held the same role at Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, where he helped lead the facility through the response to the Los Angeles wildfires, and at the Capt. James A. Lovell Federal Healthcare Center, a first-of-its-kind joint venture between VA and the Department of Defense.

Throughout his career, Simmons has served in key leadership roles, including deputy chief nurse and chief nurse at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, nurse manager at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, and management and staff positions at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital and in the private sector. His clinical expertise spans cardiac step-down, medical-surgical oncology, case management, long-term care and executive nursing leadership.

Academic credentials and certifications

Simmons holds a doctorate in healthcare administration from Virginia University, Lynchburg; a master’s in nursing in executive leadership from Benedictine University; a bachelor’s in nursing from Governors State University; an associate degree in nursing from Triton College; and a practical nursing diploma from the Capital Area School of Practical Nursing.

He holds board certifications in medical-surgical nursing and progressive care nursing, is a board-certified nurse executive and is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.