Dr. Valdes has been a nursing professional in a variety of clinical practices, nursing education and academic leadership roles for thirty 35 years in Miami Dade County. During his clinical and educational tenure at Jackson Health System (JHS), Dr. Valdes advocated outstanding professionalism and commitment for the patients, nurses, doctors, and healthcare professionals. As a member of the Education and Professional Development Department, Dr. Valdes was the chairperson of the Research and Evidence- Based Practice Council, Chairperson of the Professional Development Council and led the initiative for a professional development career pathway for clinical nurses. He coordinated the RN Medical Surgical Residency Program, re-initiated the Interdisciplinary Grand Rounds Program, was the nursing representative for the Clinical Research Review Committee and responsible for all employees and clinical employees’ mandatory education. Dr. Valdes as a role model collaborated with the JHS, Center for Nursing Excellence on Magnet initiatives and unit-based quality improvement projects. In 2011, Dr. Valdes was recognized as “March of Dimes Nurse of the Year” for clinical and academic education. Dr. Valdes has received numerous accolades that are reflective of his lifelong commitment to academic and clinical practice excellence, recognized by his peers in 2013 as “Great 100 Nurses”, Florida Nurses Association (FNA). In 2015, Dr. Valdes was nominated as “US Professor of the Year” Carnegie Foundation representing nursing at MDC, Medical Campus. Dr. Valdes in 2016 was recognized by the FNA for consistently promoting an environment of nursing excellence and by the Florida Center for Nursing as a nurse leader. As a Department Chair: RN to BSN Program at Miami Dade College (MDC), Benjamin Leon School of Nursing, he consistently promotes an atmosphere of academic achievement fostering student-centered learning in a competency-based education environment.

At MDC, Dr. Valdes contributed to two program accreditation visits (ACEN and CCNE) in 2016 and created the strategic plan for a successful CCNE re-accreditation visit in 2021. Dr. Valdes has consistently increased student enrollment and satisfaction, developed the scholars’ program in two large healthcare delivery teaching institutions, promoted faculty scholarship and wellness with a faculty led professional development initiative using the Boyer’s Model scholarship indicators reflecting on the American Association of Colleges in Nursing faculty scholarship. In 2019, Dr. Valdes received the ICON Award “Mentor Role Model” Icon category from the FNA for his contributions to the nursing profession and completed a one year post graduate certificate specialty in Nursing Education at Duke University School of Nursing.