Dr. Sandra Galura is an Associate Professor and Director of the Health Systems Leadership MSN Pathways at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her career reflects a longstanding commitment to developing nurse leaders and advancing the science of nursing leadership across both practice and academic settings.
Dr. Galura spent much of her clinical career in perianesthesia nursing, primarily in Phase I postanesthesia care. Her first formal leadership opportunity came when she was promoted to Assistant Nurse Manager, followed by Nurse Manager in the same unit. She later transitioned to academia as faculty in an associate degree nursing program, where she also served as a level coordinator responsible for the program’s second year.
While in that role, Dr. Galura committed to earning a PhD in nursing. She returned to the hospital setting and worked as a unit educator while completing her doctoral studies. After earning her degree, she advanced into system-level leadership, first directing procedural sedation management and perianesthesia care and later serving as System Director of the Nursing Clinical Excellence and Research Department. Following an organizational restructuring, she returned to academia and has taught at the graduate level since 2018.
Her interest in nursing leadership grew from an experience familiar to many new leaders: being promoted and realizing how much preparation the role required. That realization led her to seek professional development and ultimately shaped a career dedicated to leadership practice, research, and education. Through her teaching and scholarship, she hopes to strengthen the preparation and professional development of future nurse leaders.
Dr. Galura has been an active ALSN member since 2019. She learned about the organization from ALSN member Diane Andrews, who emphasized the value of connecting with colleagues committed to advancing nursing leadership science. Dr. Galura has served on the Membership Committee and now serves as ALSN Treasurer.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking—especially in state and national parks—and scrapbooking and creating mini albums, which she describes as her therapy. She is also excited to soon become a grandmother for the first time.
Her message to new members centers on mentorship. Whether beginning a leadership journey, moving into a new role, or transitioning to academia, she encourages members to seek a career mentor. ALSN’s close-knit community and mentorship opportunities make it possible to build meaningful connections with leadership scholars and thought leaders across the country—connections that can become an invaluable part of one’s leadership journey.
If you would like to connect with nurse leaders like Dr. Galura and be part of this community, learn more about ALSN membership at: ALSN.info/Membership
