2019 - Denise Hinson Scales '69

Denise has dedicated her life to hard work and giving back in her career, her community, and her church. After her graduation from Ursuline in 1969, Denise attended the St Francis Hospital School of Nursing for her RN diploma. She had the distinction of being the first African American to graduate from this school.  She received her BSN in Nursing and her master’s degree in Management. She joined Maternity at the General Division in 1974.

By 1982, Denise was promoted to the role Head Nurse in maternity, the first African American to hold that position in that service. She continued in this role until her retirement in 2016. Denise remains the longest serving African American Nurse Manager in present Christiana Care Health Systems.

In addition to her work at the hospital, Denise has been inducted into Sigma Theta Tau Sorority for nursing excellence. She was an adjunct instructor and mentor in the areas of Post-Partum, Labor and Delivery, and the NICU for 15 years, in addition to her fulltime position at the hospital. Just prior to her retirement, Denise spearheaded the certification process for Christiana Care to achieve the Baby Friendly status, a most sought-after national recognition for Maternal- Child hospitals. She is also the current President of her nursing Sorority, Chi Eta Phi, Incorporated which is an organization for professional Registered Nurses who provide health screenings and medical education, with chapters thru out the United States and the Virgin Islands.

Denise is very active in her home parish of St Joseph’s in Wilmington. She is a Greeter, Eucharistic Minster, President of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sodality, head of the health ministry as parish nurse, and a CCD teacher. She conducts monthly health screenings for parishioners and makes weekly visits to womens’ prison ministry where she educates incarcerated women in healthcare. In 2014, she was recognized for her service in the Diocese of Wilmington when she was honored with the Medal of Merit for Service to St. Joseph’s Church.