Deanna McDonald, MHA, BSN, RN

Welcome to RN HEARTwork's Health Education, Coaching, and Consulting LLC

Hello and welcome! I'm Deanna McDonald, a dedicated health professional with a passion for health education, coaching, and consulting. With a background that includes a Masters  in Healthcare Administration (MHA), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and being licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN), I bring a comprehensive understanding of healthcare delivery and patient advocacy.

Experience and Commitment

Throughout my career, I've accumulated years of experience in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, clinics and community health forums. My journey has been deeply enriched by 20 years of active community service and mentoring in the Charlottesville area, where I've had the privilege of positively impacting lives through education, coaching and support. 

Passion for Education and Empowerment

My mission is to empower individuals and communities through accessible, evidence-based health education. Whether you're seeking guidance on managing chronic conditions, optimizing wellness through lifestyle changes, or navigating the complexities of healthcare systems, I'm here to provide personalized coaching and consulting tailored to your needs. 

Why Choose Me? 

Expertise: Backed by solid academic credentials and practical experience in healthcare.

Compassionate Care: Committed to fostering a caring and supportive environment.

Holistic Approach: Emphasizing the importance of WHOLE health and well-being.

Community Focus: Actively engaged in giving back to the community through service, advocacy, and mentoring.

Let's Connect

I look forward to partnering with you on your journey towards better health and well-being. Whether you're an individual seeking guidance or an organization looking to enhance healthcare outcomes, let's collaborate to achieve your goals. Together, we can make a difference.

 

Feel free to schedule a consultation or learn more about how I can support you!

Book a consultation

My Approach

As a Registered Nurse and Community Health Advocate, my approach is grounded in holistic, trauma-informed, and community-centered care. I believe that health education is most effective when it is culturally responsive, relationship-driven, and rooted in the lived experiences of the community.

I work to create safe, inclusive spaces where individuals across generations feel heard, respected, and empowered. By integrating evidence-based nursing practice with storytelling, cultural traditions, and shared learning, I foster intergenerational connections that strengthen collective resilience. Elders carry wisdom, youth bring innovation, and families hold the bonds that sustain community health — my role is to help bridge these voices in meaningful ways.

Trauma-informed care is foundational to my practice. I recognize the impact of historical, systemic, and personal trauma on health behaviors and outcomes. Through compassionate listening, education, and advocacy, I support individuals in understanding their health while honoring their experiences. I emphasize strengths-based engagement, focusing not only on prevention and treatment but also on healing, empowerment, and self-determination.

  • My health education initiatives prioritize:

  • Chronic disease prevention and management

  • Mental health awareness and stigma reduction

  • Maternal and family health

  • Youth mentorship and elder engagement

  • Community-led wellness strategies

I collaborate with community leaders, schools, faith-based organizations, and local agencies to ensure programs are accessible, sustainable, and reflective of community priorities. By building trust and promoting shared ownership of health knowledge, I aim to cultivate environments where wellness is a collective responsibility and healing can occur across generations.

At the heart of my practice is the belief that education is empowerment, connection is medicine, and healing is possible when communities are supported with dignity, respect, and opportunity.

Dream it

Your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest.

Build it

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.