Gayle R. Whitman PhD, RN, FAAN, FAHA is an accomplished executive with extensive experience in professional healthcare associations, healthcare systems and universities. As the Executive/ Senior Vice President for Science Operations at the American Heart Association she was responsible for aligning the strategic direction and execution of the research, science, publishing, lifelong learning and professional membership departments with the association’s mission and goals. Driving strategies included focus on science discovery, translation, dissemination of content to professional and lay audience and growing and maintaining a robust network of global cardiovascular and neuroscience clinicians and researchers who served as the core assets for the association. She was also the staff lead when the AHA developed and launch their inaugural Science Accelerator Program and their Health Technology and Innovation Research Network.

Dr. Whitman began her career as a cardiovascular critical care nurse at the Cleveland Clinic Hospital and Foundation in Cleveland, Ohio. She progressively advanced through that system to the role of Vice Chairman for Patient Care Operations where her responsibilities included oversight of 500+ acute care in-patient beds, ~ 800+ personnel, and a $200M annual budget. Throughout her career she has served on several academic faculties at the University of Pittsburgh, Case Western Research University and Ohio State University where she taught clinical, leadership and healthcare management to undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students and conducted NIH funded research.

Dr. Whitman obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and her master’s and doctoral degree from Case Western Research University. She is a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing and the American Heart Association.