Dedria Sowder has been with Carilion for nearly 30 years and has been precepting, leading, and teaching for much of her career. Her dedication to evidence-based practice and contributions to the nursing profession are numerous. In 2014, Dedria completed her master's in nursing education from Jefferson College of Health Sciences. She became adjunct faculty, seizing an opportunity to give back. In March of 2021, Dedria took on the formal role of Clinical Educator for Family and Community Medicine. She joined Nicole Hosey MSN, RN, as the two pioneer ambulatory clinical educators, working side by side to support the professional development of front-line clinical staff in nearly 50 clinics. 

Dedria remains committed to interdisciplinary teaching at VTCSOM and to professional advocacy and shaping nursing on a national level. She continues to serve in a variety of both chair and task member positions for the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the primary ambulatory nursing organization, the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing (AAACN). 

AAACN Association for Nursing Professional Development Task Force member. American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Content Expert for Ambulatory Care Nursing certification exam, Chair. AAACN Leadership Special Interest Group Advisory Board. AAACN’s Lippincott Nursing Procedures Task Force member, write and review ambulatory nursing procedures. Dedria Sowder is an expert guiding the role of the ambulatory preceptor. Carilion is so fortunate to have two of the ten talented individuals across the US, who worked to publish the second edition of the Preceptor Guide for Ambulatory Care Nursing from AAACN. This guide supports nursing professionalism for both preceptor and preceptee, using clear constructs and relevant resources. This scholarly work was presented at the national AAACN conference in April 2024.