Student: Sandra Okeke Bates

• Alondra Martinez

• Business
• Graduate School
• Health Sciences
• News
• Nursing
• Pirate Profile
• Students

For Sandra Okeke Bates, nursing is about more than bedside care. It is about transforming systems to better serve patients on a larger scale.

A student in East Carolina University's MSN and MBA health systems leadership dual degree program, Bates is driven by a vision to improve how healthcare is delivered. By combining clinical expertise with business strategy, she is preparing to lead meaningful change across entire health systems.

In addition to her studies, Bates works as a nurse at Duke Health, where she continues to build hands-on experience in patient care.

"My patients are at the forefront of my nursing practice," Bates said. "But instead of improving outcomes one patient at a time, I want to do that at the system level, where decisions can impact care delivery on a much larger scale."

Originally from Mebane, Bates balances graduate school with family life, often spending her free time with her husband and two children. She enjoys trying new foods, exploring state and national parks and finding time to recharge in nature. One of her favorite places to unwind is Eno River State Park.

"Reconnecting with nature allows me to clear my mind, reflect and return feeling more focused and grounded," Bates said.

Her decision to pursue both nursing and business came from a desire to understand the full scope of healthcare systems. Bates recognizes that improving workflows and patient outcomes also requires financial sustainability and strategic decision making.

"Making decisions that improve processes is important, but ensuring those decisions are sustainable for the health system is just as critical," she said. "I wanted to learn how to do both effectively."

Bates is especially passionate about addressing urgent healthcare challenges such as disparities in access to care, system inefficiencies and funding limitations.

"As an MSN and MBA prepared nurse, I aim to combine clinical expertise with strategic leadership to advocate for equitable patient centered care while improving quality and efficiency," she said.

One of her most meaningful academic experiences came through a health policy course, where she attended a local board of health meeting and later participated in Nurses Night at the Legislature in Raleigh.

"Those experiences deepened my understanding of health policy and reinforced my passion for advocacy," Bates said. "They highlighted the powerful role nurses can play in shaping equitable healthcare outcomes."

Bates credits ECU's Dr. Mary Jo Nimmo as one of her most influential professors and looks up to Dr. Ernest Grant, a former president of the American Nurses Association, as her role model.

"His leadership shows that nurses have a voice not just in patient care, but in shaping policy and advancing health equity," she said. "He demonstrates that you can lead with excellence while remaining approachable and authentic."

Her personal motto, lift what matters, reflects her commitment to focusing on meaningful impact both personally and professionally.

"Lifting what matters is a reminder to focus my energy on what truly creates impact," Bates said. "It means advocating for what improves patient outcomes, supporting colleagues and contributing to systems that promote equity and compassionate care."

As she continues her journey at ECU, Bates encourages other students to stay organized, build strong connections and make time for self-care.

"Take advantage of available resources, manage your time wisely and do not hesitate to ask for help," she said. "Most importantly, maintain a healthy balance between school, work and personal life."

Looking back, she also wishes she had known about ECU's eight-week course structure earlier in her program. With guidance from her academic advisor, she created a plan that keeps her on track to graduate in December 2027.

After graduation, Bates hopes to take on a leadership role where she can improve how healthcare systems function, support the workforce and ensure access to care is not limited by social or economic barriers.

For Bates, the goal is simple. Lift what matters and create lasting change.