Dr. Daniel D. King to deliver Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions Commencement Ceremony address

The speaker for the Kinney College of Nursing and Health Professions Ceremony is Dr. Daniel King, a 2010 Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduate. He also holds a Master of Nurse Anesthesia from the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Alabama, where he was honored as a Centennial Scholar for his outstanding contributions to the nursing profession.

Currently serving as an Associate Professor in the Doctor of Nursing Practice, Nurse Anesthesia Program at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Illinois, King is dedicated to advancing nursing education and preparing future leaders in the field. Alongside his academic role, he is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and the owner of DreamLion Anesthesia, a business he founded to provide high-quality anesthesia services. He also serves as an elected Director for the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA), where his leadership is instrumental in shaping national policies and promoting professional development.

In addition to this, King has held influential leadership positions, including serving on the Board of Directors for the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology. He has also served as the Chair of the AANA Professional Practice Division and led the Continued Professional Certification Assessment Practice Panel for the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists. His leadership has contributed to the development of national practice guidelines and efforts to ensure ongoing professional growth and excellence within healthcare.

King’s research focuses on interdisciplinary healthcare, perioperative risk assessment and health equity. He is particularly recognized for his pioneering work in cannabis use assessment and stigma reduction, which led to the development of the Cannabis Use and Behavioral Assessment Tool. His research has reshaped discussions on perioperative care and health equity, and his scholarly contributions include more than 100 peer-reviewed publications, practice documents and presentations.

As a dedicated mentor, King has guided numerous doctoral students and supported dozens of scholarly projects. He advocates for national initiatives addressing multimodal pain management and collaborative approaches to improving health outcomes for all.

During his time at USI, King excelled both academically and in campus life, earning an Academic Excellence Award and serving as a USI Cheerleader. Today, he remains deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of healthcare professionals. His dedication to innovation, leadership and advancing global healthcare continues to make a lasting impact in both academic and clinical communities.