Audrey C. Drake is retired Deputy Chief Nursing Officer, Office of Nursing Services of the Department of Veterans Affairs. She functioned in a variety of clinical, educational, and administrative positions at several Veteran Health Administration (VHA) Medical Centers including Acting Chief Nursing Officer. Mrs. Drake was a leader in developing and implementing programs to improve the quality of healthcare delivery to veterans. She served as President of the DC League of Nursing and as the Coordinator of the DC Long Term Care Council. Mrs. Drake was the first nurse to command a Unit in the District of Columbia Army National Guard (DCARNG). She received several military awards, was awarded the Distinguished 9A Proficiency Designator by the Surgeon General of the United States Army, and retired with the rank of Brigadier General. She was deployed as Chief Nurse of the 115th Mobile Army Support Hospital (MASH) in the support of Operation Desert Storm. The Brigadier General Audrey C. Drake Health and Dental Center at the DC Armory was dedicated to her to honor her many contributions to the DC Army National Guard. Since her retirement, she remains active in professional and community organizations including Sigma Theta Tau, Inc., Chi Eta Phi, Inc., the American Nurses Association, and the National Black Nurses Association. Mrs. Drake is also actively involved in the outreach activities of her church, Asbury United Methodist Church, and the Washington, DC community.organizations. Her involvement includes healthcare and services to the homeless. She serves on the Boards of Directors for The Community Partnership for the Prevention of Homelessness and Asbury Dwellings, a HUD sponsored affordable housing complex for seniors.