Lucinda R. Larimore, EdD, MBA, BSN, has cultivated a career in nursing and health care leadership that reflects both professional expertise and a passion for guiding others. As director of nursing professional development and Magnet at Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital, she leads initiatives that align education with organizational goals while fostering excellence in patient care. In addition to overseeing educational programming, she designs and teaches charge nurse classes, equipping emerging leaders with the skills needed to manage complex clinical environments.
Dr. Larimore’s academic accomplishments have provided the foundation for this leadership. She earned a Doctor of Education in health care leadership from Grand Canyon University, a milestone she regards as one of her most meaningful personal achievements. She also holds a Master of Business Administration in nursing administration from Roseman University of Health Sciences in Henderson and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Nevada State College. Her foundational training began with an associate degree in nursing and practical nurse licensure, followed by certification as a registered nurse. She started her journey as a certified nursing assistant, an experience that instilled in her a deep respect for patient-centered care and shaped her approach to leadership.
Dr. Larimore’s professional path has been defined by a steady progression into roles of increasing responsibility. At St. Charles Health Care, she directed clinical practice and professional development, strengthening standards of care and supporting nurses in advancing their professional goals. She previously worked as nurse manager there, guiding daily operations with a focus on teamwork, staff development and quality outcomes. Earlier in her career, she directed medical and surgical intensive care services, implemented evidence-based protocols in critical care and supervised clinical teams in both Providence Healthcare and Pioneer Memorial Hospital.
Dr. Larimore’s leadership experience also includes serving as nurse manager at St. Dominican Hospital San Martin Campus, where she advanced operational efficiency while mentoring frontline staff. As an instructor for Saint Roses Flexed Education for Healthcare, she shared her knowledge with aspiring professionals, demonstrating her commitment to education as a vital component of clinical practice. Additional leadership roles at St. Rose Dominican Hospital Siena Campus and Catholic Healthcare West allowed her to oversee complex operations and multidisciplinary teams. She began her clinical practice at Desert Springs Hospital as an intensive care unit bedside nurse, where she provided high-acuity patient care and developed the practical expertise that would anchor her later leadership.
Education and professional development remain central themes throughout her career. Dr. Larimore has contributed to national dialogue through conference presentations, addressing the intersection of spiritual suffering and pain management in acute care settings. Her research highlights the need to consider not only the physical but also the emotional and spiritual dimensions of patient care. She is an active member of leading organizations such as the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Association for Nursing Professional Development, American Association of Nursing Leadership, American Nurses Association and American Society for Pain Management Nursing.
Beyond her efforts in the hospital environment, Dr. Larimore has volunteered with the American Valor Foundation and remains committed to civic engagement. She has been recognized with several honors, including a Nurse of the Year award from St. Rose Dominican Hospital, which affirmed her impact as both a clinician and a leader. She credits her achievements not only to her own determination but also to the strength of the teams she has worked alongside, the support of her husband and the influence of her father, whose career in education inspired her lifelong commitment to learning.
Looking ahead, Dr. Larimore intends to pursue additional academic credentials, including a master’s degree in nursing and completion of her nurse executive certification. She envisions expanding her influence within academia, teaching in both hospital settings and higher education institutions to prepare future leaders in nursing, business health care leadership and organizational development.