Diane Woods
Associate Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Director, Ambulatory Practice and Regulatory Compliance
Diane Woods, M.S.N., R.N., is the associate chief nursing officer and executive director of UC Davis Health's Ambulatory Practice and Regulatory Compliance. She leads nursing and clinical operations for ambulatory clinical services and safety and accreditation requirements.
Woods is a respected, trusted, intuitive executive nursing leader and professional registered nurse. Her knowledge of complex healthcare ecosystems and experience building trusting relationships across ambulatory, inpatient, and physician teams have earned her a reputation as a passionate colleague and patient advocate.
Woods embarked on her nursing journey in a hospital setting, honing her skills and knowledge on the night shift of a telemetry Med-Surg unit. After that, she transitioned to the ICU and then Labor and Delivery, offering compassionate care during and after childbirth. Her journey continued in the interventional cardiac cath lab, where she planned to stay for the remainder of her career.
However, an opportunity at Emory Healthcare marked Woods' entry into ambulatory nursing and transformational leadership, her true calling. She is captivated by ambulatory care's diversity, excitement, and ever-evolving nature and its vital role in patients' life cycles. At Emory, she collaborated to create an ambulatory Magnet program and the MA and LVN Progression Plan.
Today, Woods is a steadfast advocate for ambulatory nurses, nursing leaders, LPNs/LVNs, medical assistants, and technicians, recognizing their indispensable contributions to the healthcare team. Recently she celebrated the outstanding success of her UC Davis Health team in achieving the highest possible The Joint Commission (TJC) survey rating. She remains committed to expanding her knowledge and skills about patient care, patient experience, team building and engagement, and accreditation readiness.