Digital Debut
Meet the Board
Get to know your officers through these short interviews
INTERVIEWED BY SAHELY MUKERJI | APRIL 15, 2026
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Dare Underwood Meeks, RN, CASC
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We are running a series of Q&As with ASCA’s Board of Directors to help our members get to know them better. Meet Dare Underwood Meeks, RN, CASC, Board member and chief nursing officer at SCA Health in Birmingham, Alabama.
Q: How did you get into the ASC space?
Dare Underwood Meeks (DUM): After completing graduate school, I went to work for a large ASC development and management company supporting quality and safety in ASCs in the southeast US.
Quick Facts
Personal:
Age: 52
Place of birth: Valdosta, Georgia
Residence: Birmingham, Alabama
Family: Spouse, Chris; four children, Riley, 27, Allie Claire, 25, Hayden, 23, and Merritt, 20; and two dogs, Arley and Jughead
Education: Bachelor of Science in nursing, Auburn University; Master of Science in nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Career highlights:
- Five years in acute care (cardiovascular intensive care unit) and 25 years in the ASC community
- 2020: appointed by governor as first ASC industry representative to serve on the Alabama Statewide Health Coordinating Council, the advisory council to the state Certificate of Need Review Board
- 2022: selected for SCA Health Nightingale Award “in recognition of elevating the nursing profession through transformational leadership, dedication, and innovation at SCA Health”
- 2025: selected for Auburn University College of Nursing Distinguished Alumni Award “for clinical distinction in nursing through scholarly endeavors, promotion of health care, professional service, or who has given remarkable service to the community, state, or other beneficiary organizations”
- 2026: appointed to ASCA Board
First job: Salesperson in a bridal and formal attire shop
One-word description of self: Authentic
Go-to motto or phrase: Every day, our words and actions create ripples that impact others. What ripple are you creating today?
Your “superpower”: Appreciating others’ contributions and motivating others to see their own talents
One thing most people at work do not know about you: I don’t have a middle name!
Q: What are your aspirations for ASCA?
DUM: To continue strong support and advocacy for ASCs as more and more surgical procedures migrate from inpatient and hospital outpatient department (HOPD) environments to ASCs, enabling high-quality, safe and effective care in a lower cost setting.
Q: Who was a great mentor for you?
DUM: Larry Taylor. He was my leader at my first ASC management company. I followed him as he started his own ASC company and continue to work with him today. I learned all about the ASC industry and business from Larry.
Q: What are you most proud of in your ASC work?
DUM: The work my team does to educate and support ASC leaders, staff and physicians about the importance of and the culture required to drive patient safety every day in the ASC environment.
Q: If you could change one thing about the ASC community, what would it be?
DUM: More parity for reimbursement to enable broader access to patients for surgical care.
Q: What excites you most about the future of ASCs?
DUM: Expanded ability to safely serve more patients and get them back to a better quality of life at a reasonable cost.
Q: What legacy do you hope to leave in the ASC space?
DUM: Safety and transparent culture as the strategy for success. Everything else will follow if this is present. 