Derek Curtis, DNP, MA, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Ben Taub General Hospital – Harris Health System, Houston
Derek Curtis, DNP, MA, RN, BC-NEA, is passionate about creating a culture of excellence at Ben Taub (BT) Hospital by championing commitment, consistency, empathy, trust and respect. He serves as Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) for BT, a healthcare facility that is one of the busiest Level I trauma center in the Texas, and on their second ANCC magnet designation.
Derek is from Augusta, Georgia, but has lived in Houston, Texas since 2012. A retired Army Major, his background includes various military assignments at Brooke Army Medical Center, a Level I trauma center on Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. Derek retired from the army after 22 years of service.
In 2017, the Houston Chronicle named Derek one of Houston’s top 150 nurses and 2024 named one of Houston’s top 15 nurses. He is also an America’s Hospitals fellow.
Derek’s education includes a BSN from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta, a MA from Webster University, San Antonio in Information Systems and Management and a Doctoral degree in Nursing Practice, Executive Leadership from American Sentinel University in Aurora, Colorado.