Meet Our Inspiring Founder
Our Founder & Chief Executive Officer
from Dream to Destiny: Write the Vision; & Make it Plain on a Tablet
Mrs. Lulu Pearl Kwakye
Executive Director – Lulu Kwakye, Master of Science in Nursing, Master’s in Healthcare Administration, Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
Lulu Pearl Kwakye, as the Founder and Executive Director of the Divine Gateway Foundation Inc., boasts a distinguished career marked by notable achievements in nursing leadership roles at esteemed institutions like Stanford Healthcare, Emory Healthcare, and the Grady Hospital. Her extensive credentials underscore her expertise and dedication to healthcare advancement.
Kwakye's leadership has likely been instrumental in shaping policies, implementing innovative practices, and fostering a culture of excellence within healthcare organizations. Moreover, her establishment of the Divine Gateway Foundation Inc. signifies a broader commitment to addressing systemic healthcare challenges and promoting health equity, particularly in underserved communities.
Lulu Pearl Kwakye's professional trajectory exemplifies a steadfast dedication to enhancing healthcare standards and making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Born in Ghana, Lulu Kwakye has firsthand experience with the challenges faced by parentless children in her homeland.
In 2005, she experienced three pivotal events: joining Emory Healthcare as a Staff Nurse, initiating the adoption process for two Ghanaian children, and dreaming about the Divine Gateway Foundation Inc. Since then, Kwakye has made significant strides in both her career and philanthropic endeavors, demonstrating her commitment to improving healthcare and addressing the needs of vulnerable children.
Lulu Kwakye's aspiration was to establish an international community-based foster care foundation, beginning in Ghana. Over 16 years, she simultaneously pursued three paths: nurturing her children, advancing her career, and growing the Divine Gateway Foundation Inc.
Timeline of Accomplishments
Lulu earned her Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA, following more than five years of experience as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) at Elder Care - Southern Home Care Services, also in Valdosta, GA.
Lulu also graduated with an Associate in Nursing from Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, GA.
Lulu began her nursing career as a Registered Nurse (RN) at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta, GA.
Lulu transitioned to Emory Healthcare in Atlanta, GA, marking a significant milestone in her nursing career.
Lulu pursued further education, obtaining both a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and a Master of Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Phoenix.
At Emory University Hospital Midtown in Atlanta, GA, Lulu was promoted to the position of Shift Nurse Manager in the medical intensive care unit (71-MICU).
Under the leadership of the Medical Director of the 71-medical intensive care unit (ICU), and Unit Director of 71-ICU, Lulu worked alongside the Clinical Nurse Specialist in 71-ICU, the catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) committee, multidisciplinary teams, and 71-ICU staff. In her role as CAUTI team facilitator, Lulu spearheaded the Foley-Free zone project, collaborating closely with these teams to implement the project as part of a Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP). The aim was to eradicate CAUTI within the ICU through strategic planning and concerted efforts.
The Foley-Free zone project, led by Lulu and her team, garnered recognition through three prestigious awards:
- 1. Third place at the Southeast Critical Care Summit.
- 2. Third place at the Georgia Hospitals Association's Patient Safety Award.
- 3. Third place at the Emory Quality Conference.
These accolades highlight the project's effectiveness and its significant contribution to patient safety and quality improvement initiatives within the healthcare community.
After joining Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017 as a Clinical Staff Manager in the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU), Lulu quickly made an impact. Within her first month, she was recognized as Employee of the Month. That same year, she received the "Top Nurse Leader" award from the International Nurses Association. Moreover, the association dedicated a page to acknowledge Lulu's contributions to the Foley-free zone project and patient safety. As a token of appreciation for her dedication, the International Nurses' Association published a video tribute on YouTube, highlighting Lulu's significant contributions to patient safety.
While at Grady, Lulu revitalized the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) in the medical ICU, earning her the nickname "Queen of CUSP." With Lulu as the facilitator and supported by a dedicated team including Dr. Greg Martin, Dr. Jacqueline Head, Dr. Marshman, Dr. Seema Tekwani, Dr. Jenny Han, Charity Ikpe, Bessie Lurlay Koryan, Sjajuana Whigham, Norman Poindexter, and Medical ICU staff, significant improvements were achieved in quality indicators, notably reducing CAUTI and catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) to their lowest levels. The MICU's efforts in combating hospital-acquired infections were recognized on numerous occasions, reflecting their dedication and hard work.
Lulu was recognized as a finalist for the Academy Awards for Nursing Excellence and Outstanding Contributions to Nursing Leadership at Grady Memorial Hospital.
Promoted to Interim Nursing Director in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at Grady Hospital, Lulu transitioned to a traveling nurse role in 2020. With her children now independent, she focuses on her vision: transforming orphanages into nurturing environments and educational hubs—"the divine gateways" for children to flourish.
Throughout her nursing career, Lulu Pearl Kwakye has had the privilege of working at several esteemed healthcare institutions, including:
- Stanford Healthcare, Palo Alto, CA
- O’connor Hospital, San Jose, CA
- Valley Medical Center, San Jose, CA
- Kaiser Medical Center, Downey, CA
- Emory University Hospital, Decatur, GA
- Northeast GA Medical Center, Gainesville, GA
- Essentia Health, Fargo, ND
- Piedmont Healthcare, Newnan & Stockbridge, GA
- Grady Hospital, Atlanta, GA
- Emory University Hospital Midtown, Atlanta, GA
- South GA medical Center, Valdosta, GA
Mrs. Kwakye's Accomplishments
Lulu Kwakye's leadership and nursing career were dedicated to patient safety, exemplified by her focus on implementing and maintaining standards of practice, safety measures, patient advocacy, and education. Read More
Additionally, Lulu collaborated with Jemma Brown, Stroke Coordinator at the same hospital, on the Stroke committee. Under Brown's guidance, she actively participated in developing a comprehensive Read More