Nurses Week spotlight: Dr. Natalie Fox
Posted on May 12, 2026 by Daniel Curtis
As part of Nurses Week, the University of South Alabama College of Nursing is proud to recognize graduates whose careers reflect the strength, service and leadership at the heart of the nursing profession.
Among them is Dr. Natalie Fox, CEO of USA Health and a three-time graduate of the University of South Alabama College of Nursing. For Fox, being recognized by the college during Nurses Week is especially meaningful because of the role South has played in shaping both her personal and professional journey.
鈥淏eing recognized during Nurses Week feels like a full-circle moment,鈥� Fox said. 鈥淚鈥檝e had the privilege of learning, growing, and serving at the University of South Alabama, and being honored by the place that shaped me is very meaningful.鈥�
Fox earned her bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚 and doctoral nursing degrees at South. She said that experience gave her more than academic preparation. It helped build the foundation of her nursing career, introduced her to mentors and shaped the way she thinks about leadership, care and service.
One of the most meaningful influences on her path, she said, was the encouragement of Dr. Ashley D. Marass in the College of Nursing. Fox said Marass鈥� belief in her and her encouragement to pursue the Doctor of Nursing Practice degree came at a pivotal point in her career and continues to influence the way she leads today.
鈥淪he didn鈥檛 just suggest it as a possibility, she truly believed I could and should do it, and that confidence helped me believe it too,鈥� Fox said. 鈥淭hat mentorship helped shape how I see myself as a leader and continues to influence how I lead and serve today.鈥�
Today, Fox leads USA Health. She said the lessons she learned at South still guide the way she approaches patients, teams and decision-making.
鈥淪outh gave me a strong clinical foundation, but just as importantly, it shaped how I think about leadership and care,鈥� Fox said. 鈥淚 still carry those lessons with me in how I approach patients, teams, and decision-making.鈥�
Dean Heather Hall said Fox鈥檚 career reflects the kind of leadership and impact the College of Nursing is proud to celebrate during Nurses Week.
鈥淥n behalf of the College of Nursing administration, faculty and staff, Dr. Natalie Fox鈥檚 commitment and determination are inspirational,鈥� Hall said. 鈥淪he exemplifies the College of Nursing mission every day. Dr. Fox鈥檚 leadership is influencing the future of health care. I am so proud of the significant impact she is having on patient care and the nursing profession.鈥�
For current nursing students, Fox encourages them to stay grounded in the reason they chose nursing in the first place and to value the relationships they build along the way.
鈥淒on鈥檛 underestimate the value of relationships along the way, with patients, classmates, and mentors,鈥� Fox said. 鈥淭hose connections will shape your career more than you realize and often open doors you didn鈥檛 expect.鈥�