November 2024

November 2024
Frankie Hamilton, MBA '18

Answering the Call: Hofstra Alumnus's Journey from Classroom to Healthcare Leadership

Frankie Hamilton, MBA, ’18, was a chemistry teacher at St. Francis Preparatory School in Queens, NY, for nearly four years when he was inspired to pivot his career. "I had this voice inside my head saying, 'Is this what you really want to do? Nursing was calling to you years ago, and you just weren’t ready for it. Are you ready now?’" He decided to listen to that inner voice and change his path. “Once I figured out what an amazing career nursing could be and how much opportunity it offered, I chose to make the switch, and I never looked back.”

Now the director of ambulatory care services at Lincoln Hospital in the South Bronx, NY, Hamilton credits his rise in the healthcare industry to the values instilled in him at an early age by his family. “My dad didn’t go to college, and neither did my mom, but he always worked extra hours. He always worked overtime. And they both would emphasize the importance of working hard to get somewhere in life.” 
With the encouragement of his parents, Hamilton has earned multiple degrees in healthcare, including an MBA in Strategic Healthcare Management at Hofstra, and assumed greater responsibilities within the healthcare industry. “It has always been ingrained in me to continue on that trajectory [of academic achievement] in order to diversify my portfolio and land a leadership position in nursing.”

Currently, Hamilton is a leader in the field of nursing, overseeing 76 outpatient practices, the radiology department, and the hemodialysis unit at Lincoln Hospital. He explains how working in an underserved community brings unique challenges. “We have a lot of patients experiencing substance use disorders, homelessness, and chronic conditions. Every day, I see patients who have no support systems and are challenged by social determinants of health. … I try to focus on small things that can have a big impact, not only for our patients, but for our staff and myself as well.”

Hamilton’s education at Hofstra was integral to his career success. "Hofstra helped me develop my critical thinking skills, my problem-solving skills ... and also the ability to distill the most important information into the most salient points, which is so important when you’re working with patients.”

His advice to current students: Take advantage of everything the University has to offer. “I have seen immense growth and expansion of Hofstra over the years, and the list of available resources, activities, and opportunities continues to grow. Engage with the campus, join student organizations, and just maximize your use of all that is available to you.”

After 13 years in nursing, Hamilton shows no signs of slowing down. In addition to his current position at Lincoln Hospital, he is an adjunct professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, educating graduate-level nurse practitioners; a lieutenant in the Navy Reserve, ensuring sailors are medically ready for deployment; a longstanding member of the Sepsis Alliance Advisory Board; and a member of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies Advisory Board. He is also pursuing his Doctorate in Nursing Practice on a nursing leadership track at Quinnipiac University and a Doctor of Philosophy at Seton Hall University.

From teaching to nursing to military service, Hamilton has dedicated his life to helping others. With the principles instilled by his family, his Hofstra education, and his strong work ethic, Frankie Hamilton is shaping the future of the nursing field.