Margarita David, born in the Dominican Republic and raised in the Bronx, New York, embarked on a path less ordinary. After graduating from John F. Kennedy High School in 1997, she earned academic scholarships that propelled her toward a Bachelor of Business Administration, Magna Cum Laude, from City College of New York. Her focus? Finance and business management.
Yet, fate had other plans. Five years into her successful corporate career as a financial analyst, she felt a calling towards the medical field. With her outstanding academic record, she landed a spot in Drexel University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, graduating in 2006.
OUTSTANDING STUDENT
Driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to impact healthcare, Margarita continued her journey in 2013 with a Master of Science in Leadership and Education at Wilmington University. «My thesis focused on improving evidence-based knowledge about preventing and reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections in vulnerable populations,» she explains. «I developed an evidence-based curriculum for hospital medical staff and nursing students.»
In May 2016, she graduated, ready to dive into the world of academia. As a clinical professor, she developed a pharmacology curriculum and exam strategies that reached over 800 students. Her passion for healthcare led her to pursue a doctorate in 2017, finally earning the title «Doctor» in January 2020.
Margarita’s expertise extends beyond academic and clinical settings. She founded the Registered Nurse Success Academy, LLC, providing training and mentorship to students and nurses pursuing postgraduate and doctoral degrees. Her diverse experience includes roles as a clinical educator, transplant coordinator, and most recently, Director of Simulation Programming at Rowan-Virtual School of Osteopathic Medicine.
Currently, she serves as an adjunct professor for doctoral students at Wilmington University and co-authored the book «Radical Woman, Resilience After Difficult Issues.»
«Throughout my career, I’ve strived to improve patient care and quality,» she emphasizes. «Working on committees, I developed policies focused on this while earning various certifications. As a bilingual clinical professor, I’ve helped young people interested in healthcare professions, as well as individuals from other fields, navigate workplaces strategically for professional growth.»
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
When asked about contributing to her community, Margarita smiles. «Absolutely,» she says with conviction. «After presentations where I discuss the possibilities with young people, I dedicate time to mentor them, primarily in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, encouraging them not to let barriers stop them from achieving their goals.»
As an Afro-Latina, Margarita acknowledges the challenges she faced. «Yes, at every stage of my career, I’ve encountered the ‘but how can she…’ mentality,» she says. «It’s normal. Some people try to diminish your ambitions when they see your drive, and the same goes for being an immigrant.» Her advice? Ignore the negativity and turn it into fuel for your own success. «Being different helped me achieve goals I might not have otherwise,» she reflects.
In her free time, Margarita enjoys traveling with her family, watching soccer, and following auto racing. «Sometimes I strive for ambitious goals, but like everyone else, motivation can wane due to fatigue or other obstacles. What I’ve learned is to ask myself why I want these things during those moments. Then, I repeat the advice I always give to young people: ‘Don’t limit yourself, don’t give up, always keep moving forward,'» she concludes.
