Vinette Gordon

Vinette Gordon, FSU’s Director of Health Services and a retired Army Colonel, is modest about a background that includes serving on the White House medical team, working with the U.S. Surgeon General, and holding top leadership positions at the Pentagon.

Good medicine

Strong leadership helps Broncos rise to COVID challenges

By Janet Gibson/Photography by Cindy Burnham

It took a bad car accident at age 17 for Vinette Gordon to discover her life’s calling: healthcare.

A high school senior in Virginia Beach at the time, Gordon was on her way to her first job at a Rose’s department store when the accident occurred, totaling the vehicle and sending her to the hospital.

“There I was, with a head injury and stitches in my head—and feeling terrible because it was our family’s only car—and [the medical team] offered me so much compassion,” Gordon said. She recovered, but the experience left a lasting impression.

Inspired by the care and collaboration of her medical team, Gordon set out on a personal journey to become a nurse. She was awarded an ROTC scholarship, attending Virginia Commonwealth University and then the Medical College of Virginia, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing. She later earned her master’s degree as a critical care clinical nurse specialist, and a postcertificate degree as an acute care nurse practitioner—both from Duke University. For nearly 30 years, she served as a military nurse in the U.S. Army, rising to the rank of Colonel.

Gordon is modest about her accomplishments and her unique experiences—which include holding executive leadership positions at the Pentagon, working directly with the U.S. Surgeon General, serving as a nurse on the White House medical team for President Bill Clinton, and accompanying First Lady Hillary Clinton on a fact-finding mission to Africa.

The power of nurturing relationships fuels Vinette Gordon’s work at FSU

After Gordon retired from the military, she joined Fayetteville State University as Director of Student Health Services in 2017. She is responsible for strategies, daily operations, and a team of nine people.

Gordon took a rare break to be interviewed on a bench outside the health center. “The pandemic has tested this campus,” she said without hesitation, adding that Broncos have risen quickly to the challenge.

Vaccination numbers tell an impressive story. In just a few months, the student COVID-19 vaccination rate has risen from 22 percent to over 60 percent. For FSU staff, the vaccination rate is even higher: about 70 percent.

It’s good to have passion, but it’s more important to have compassion.

– Vinette Gordon

Dr. Vinette Gordon

In early September, Chancellor Darrell T. Allison suspended Homecoming planning temporarily until vaccination rates increased on campus. A “group effort” made that increase happen, said Gordon. She is quick to give credit to university leadership, staff, students, and the team at Student Health Services.

To be sure, having a vaccination program and COVID testing capability on campus are invaluable. Masks and hand sanitizer stations are helpful as well. A residence hall beside Student Health Services has been dedicated to quarantining, and another nearby hall houses students who are diagnosed as COVID-positive. The health team has also coordinated house calls and telemedicine, along with deliveries of food and medications.

Education has played a central role in helping the university persevere through the pandemic, especially when it comes to dispelling myths about the vaccine. “Simple conversations are vital,” said Gordon, whose motherly instincts often kick in, particularly when it comes to comforting students and their parents. Gordon and her husband, Vincent, also a veteran, are parents to a 23-yearold daughter, Victoria, who works for an art museum.

Compassion and dedication lead to recognition and accolades

Gordon has a guiding ethos for her work: “It’s good to have passion, but it’s more important to have compassion.”

That philosophy and dedication helped earn her the John L. Sanders Student Advocate Award in April 2019. The honor is bestowed annually on one or more public figures for service to the students in the University of North Carolina System—for advocating in the best interests of students and contributing to their quality of life. It is the highest honor bestowed by the UNC Association of Student Governments upon a member of the UNC community.

In September of this year, another accolade came: Gordon was named Nurse Administrator of the Year by the North Carolina Nurses Association (NCNA). The annual award is given to the administrative nurse in the state who excels in providing innovative and creative management strategies, demonstrates excellence in leadership, serves as a role model, and delivers a lasting positive impact on the environment.

“It gives me great pleasure to celebrate this huge honor bestowed upon an esteemed FSU family member. Our very own FSU Bronco, Director Gordon is considered the best of the best,” said Chancellor Allison.

In true leadership style, Gordon took the opportunity to recognize others, noting: “Last year was an unpredictable, challenging, and rewarding time for our campus. The pandemic made more visible the strength and resiliency of our Student Health Services and Bronco Wellness Team. Our team deserves the credit, and we remain committed to keeping Fayetteville State University safe and healthy. I am humbled by this recognition and proud of the work we do every day.”