Dawn M. Adams

Owner & Nurse Practitioner

About

Dr. Dawn M. Adams is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult Nurse Practitioner, professor, small business owner, and former Virginia State Delegate with nearly 40 years of experience in healthcare. Her work bridges clinical practice, health policy, education, and systems reform, with a focus on person-centered care and equity. She currently serves as an Assistant Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, where her teaching emphasizes nursing policy, leadership, and advocacy. As the founder of RVA Telecare, a Virginia-based telehealth practice, she provides alternative pain management, hormone optimization, urgent care, and medical cannabis certification through evidence-informed and integrative care models. From 2018 to 2024, Dr. Adams represented Virginia’s 68th District in the House of Delegates, where she chaired the Health Professions Subcommittee and sponsored legislation on Medicaid expansion, environmental health, nurse practitioner scope of practice, and mental health access. Her legislative tenure was marked by bipartisan collaboration and a consistent commitment to improving healthcare systems through practical, people-focused policy. Across roles, Dr. Adams brings clarity, integrity, and a solutions-oriented mindset to the complex intersections of health, law, and leadership. She remains engaged in policy consultation, public speaking, and mentoring, with a focus on transforming healthcare from the inside out.

Country

United States

City

Greater Richmond Region

Industry

Hospital & Health Care

Skill

Healthcare, Nurse Practitioners, Hospitals, Public Speaking, Patient Advocacy, Patient Education, Published Author, Health Counseling, Nursing Care, Weight Management, Holistic Health, Presentations, Health Advocacy, Nursing Education, Policy, Weight Loss Coaching, Holistic Life Coaching, Holistic Medicine, Holistic Education, ACLS

Experience

Owner & Nurse Practitioner

RVA Telecare

2020-9 - Present · 6 yrs 1 mo

United States

Telehealth, Virginia-based Provide direct care in alternative pain management, hormone support, medical cannabis certification, and weight optimization. Deliver care using a patient-centered, integrative, and science-based model. Oversee clinical operations, digital health strategy, and patient education.

Founder & CEO

Integrated Health Consulting LLC

2018-8 - Present · 8 yrs 2 mos

Richmond VA

Consulting on health systems transformation, policy implementation, and regulatory strategy. Keynote speaker, author, and educator bridging clinical practice with system-level change.

Assistant Professor

Virginia Commonwealth University

2025-3 - Present · 1 yr 7 mos

Teaching graduate and undergraduate nursing courses with a focus on health policy, advocacy, leadership, and integrative practice. Supporting curriculum redesign aligned with AACN Essentials and competency-based education. Advising students and contributing to faculty development in policy engagement.

Delegate, 68th District

Virginia General Assembly

2018-1 - 2024-1 · 6 yrs 1 mo

Served as a State Delegate for six years, authoring and co-sponsoring over 80 bills, many focused on healthcare, equity, and access. Chaired the Health Professions Subcommittee and served on multiple committees and commissions. Advocated for nurse practitioner autonomy, Medicaid expansion, and integrative healthcare policy.

Adjunct Faculty

Old Dominion University

2013-12 - 2019-1 · 5 yrs 2 mos

Designed and taught graduate-level health policy curriculum for DNP students. Emphasized legislative literacy, policy analysis, and nurse advocacy. Mentored emerging nurse leaders in policy and systems-level thinking.

Director, Office of Integrated Health

DBHDS Commonwealth of Virginia

2014-4 - 2018-11 · 4 yrs 8 mos

Richmond, Virginia Area

Drafted and led strategic planning and systems change initiatives to improve access and care for individuals with developmental disabilities. Oversaw interagency coordination, health outcome tracking, and equity-focused service delivery improvements.