John David Hughes, MMHC, RN, NE-BC
Senior Director of Nursing, Pediatric Heart Institute

John David began his nursing career in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (PCICU) after graduating from The University of Alabama. Following the completion of his Bachelor of Science in Nursing, John David pursued progressive clinical and leadership roles in the PCICU and across the Pediatric Heart Institute, building expertise in nursing practice, operations, and system-level leadership.

In the role of Senior Director of Nursing, John David provides strategic and operational oversight for nursing professional practice, clinical operations, and specialty clinical programs. This includes leadership for evidence-based practice, nursing quality and safety, shared governance, process improvement, and high-reliability culture. He is deeply committed to advancing nursing excellence, improving patient and family-centered outcomes, and supporting nurses across all stages of their professional journey.

John David received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The University of Alabama and his Master of Management in Health Care (MMHC) degree from Vanderbilt University. He holds Nurse Executive, Board Certified (NE-BC) specialty certification through the American Nurse Credentialing Center.