Sigma Nursing, an international honor society with over a million members, fired its CEO Lucas Davis late last week. The decision followed the public release of text messages in which Davis allegedly used racial slurs and made sexualized references to slavery. The board placed Davis on leave on September 14, then voted to remove him days later, citing a review with independent legal counsel.
In a statement, Sigma said it was "not in a position to confirm or verify the authenticity" of the circulating messages, but that the board "firmly believes that its action was appropriate." Davis had led the organization since August 2024. The society, founded in 1922, describes its mission as developing nurse leaders to improve healthcare worldwide.
The incident has stirred reactions across the nursing community. Some members, like DNP Sunni Johnson-Strodes, expressed disbelief that a leader of a diverse organization could hold such views. Others, including PhD Brenice Duroseau, called for transparency and a deeper examination of the culture that allowed racism to persist. An op-ed by Krista Walker argued that individual firings are insufficient, citing surveys showing most Black nurses experience workplace racism. She urged the profession to choose transformation over reputational comfort.