Dr. Daniel G. Ortiz, Jr. approved as the Interim Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health
The Imperial Valley College (IVC) Board of Trustees unanimously approved Dr. Daniel G. Ortiz, Jr. as the Interim Associate Dean of Nursing and Allied Health programs during the Oct. 20, 2021, board meeting.
Having a long-established history at IVC, Ortiz is transitioning into this role from his most recent assignments as Allied Health/Nursing Programs coordinator and assistant nursing director, associate professor in nursing, and simulations coordinator. As a lifelong resident and alumnus of IVC, his experience of serving the Imperial Valley as a healthcare provider began in 1997. He earned an Associate’s Degree of Science in Nursing in 2001 from IVC’s Nursing Program. This was followed by an earned Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2008.
Ortiz completed a double Master’s degree in Business Administration and Nursing Administration (MBA/MSN) through Grand Canyon University with an emphasis in Leadership in Health Care Systems in 2014. He continued his commitment to education by earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree in 2020 through Azusa Pacific University (APU), where he co-developed the inaugural APU-DNP Association, serving as vice president for the student- led organization.
His additional credentials include being a Public Health Nurse (PHN), Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Certified Healthcare Simulation Educator (CHSE). Ortiz also served as president of the inaugural American Association of Critical Care Nurses’ Imperial County Chapter; a position where he was appointed by a group of his peers who serve the Imperial and Yuma Counties’ critical care departments. In 2018, he established the IVC Nursing Club as a voluntary body that works to support the community of nursing and pre-nursing students through work-based learning activities, introducing guest speakers from various specialties, and hosting related events that broaden the students' understanding of immediate and future career & academic opportunities. His attention towards faculty development has resulted in no less than four faculty members meeting the rigorous certification standard of Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) examination, resulting in IVC now employing more CNE prepared faculty when compared to other regional community or college systems.
His healthcare work experience spans clinical practice as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN), and Registered Nurse (RN) in the areas of Home Care, Emergency Care, Intensive/Critical Care, Hospital Supervision, Oncology Nursing and Employee
Management. He also has teaching experience as a clinical educator for EMT’s, LVN’s, RN’s, Paramedics, Pharmacy Technicians and healthcare employees both licensed and unlicensed in addition to post-secondary, undergraduate, and graduate program students. Dr. Ortiz expanded the simulation lab at Imperial Valley College School of Nursing to include industry partners’ use of high-fidelity human patient simulators for the purpose of applying evidence-based-practice towards staff training in a standardized manner. Dr. Ortiz volunteers with numerous non-profit agencies serving those among the cancer community, less fortunate, and community activities aimed at helping the youth of the Imperial Valley be exposed to careers and vocations that await them.
Outside of his interests in work and academia,
Dr. Ortiz enjoys leisure activities such as travel, music, and the arts while also being an avid motorcycle enthusiast (a passionate Ducatisti). His wife and three children have been the foundation to his daily activities and are usually present during any work related, volunteer activities, or study sessions.