Hometown: Springfield, Illinois
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Benedictine University, B.S. in Nursing
Graduate Institution and Major: Benedictine University, M.S. in Nursing
Bio: Becky Dragoo is a Registered Nurse whose combined legal and nursing education has led to unique work experiences across multiple settings, including the acute care setting as a cardiovascular surgical nurse, lead negotiator, arbitration advocate, and staff supervisor in statewide public-sector bargaining, nurse paralegal at the Illinois Attorney General's Office, and currently a Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse at the Illinois Department of Public Health. Becky received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Lincoln Land Community College with High Honors. Both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degrees from Benedictine University with Honors. Her areas of interest include ethical issues arising in health care due to technology, medico-legal problems arising in public health, and national health care policy. Becky enjoys gardening, reading, dancing, playing the piano, and traveling both locally and abroad in her spare time.
Professional Experience: Two parallel careers in public sector labor relations and nursing. Becky has 20 years of experience as paralegal, lead negotiator, arbitration advocate and staff supervisor in a state-wide law enforcement union. She has been a Registered Nurse for 17 years with 13 years’ experience in acute care setting in cardiovascular surgery at level 1 trauma center. She also served as a Nurse paralegal at Illinois Attorney General’s Office from 2016 – 2018 and Division Manager of Home & Community Based Services at the Illinois Department on Aging. Becky currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Office of Healthcare Regulation at the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Research Interests: Becky’s research interests include ethical issues arising in health care as a result of technology, factors impacting medical errors, medico-legal issues arising in public health, and health care
Honors and Awards: Becky graduated with High Honors from Lincoln Land Community College and with Honors from Benedictine University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (2014-Present) and she is a member of the Illinois Nursing Association.
Volunteer Activities: Becky’s volunteer activities include providing CPR instruction to non-profit organizations and serving at the Abraham Lincoln Memorial Museum & Library