“Called to compassionate care. Committed to serving others with excellence, empathy, and intention.”

Opal Blake, NP-C

Pulmonary

Opal Blake, MS, APRN, AGACNP-BC, NP-C, has been a dedicated nurse practitioner at Gwinnett Pulmonary & Sleep for over a decade, providing advanced care in both inpatient and outpatient settings. She has a strong clinical focus in pulmonary and critical care medicine, managing complex conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, lung cancer, respiratory failure, and sleep disorders. Opal is highly experienced in coordinating comprehensive patient care, including hospital admissions, consultations, discharges, and follow-up management. She also serves as a clinical consultant for tuberculosis at the Gwinnett County Health Department and has contributed to advancing medical research as a sub-investigator in Phase II–IV clinical trials. Opal is actively involved in education, precepting nurse practitioner students, medical students, and residents. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Georgia State University and completed her post-graduate training as an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner at Emory University.

Post Graduate Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
Emory University – The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing – Atlanta, GA
Aug 2018 – May 2019

Master of Science, Adult Nurse Practitioner / Clinical Nurse Specialist
Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA
Aug 2013 – May 2014

Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Georgia State University – Atlanta, GA
Aug 2005 – May 2008
Summa Cum Laude

Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management
University of the West Indies – Kingston, Jamaica
2002

Bachelor of Science in Management Studies (Major), Psychology (Minor)
University of the West Indies – Kingston, Jamaica
2000
with Honors

Nurse Practitioner
Gwinnett Pulmonary Group – Lawrenceville, GA
Sep 2014 – Present
Provide advanced care in inpatient and outpatient settings for patients with asthma, bronchiectasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, complicated pneumonia, lung cancer, pleural effusion, pulmonary hypertension, respiratory failure, sarcoidosis, sleep disorders, and venous thromboembolism. Responsibilities include admissions, consultations, progress notes, discharges, and hospital follow-ups.

Clinical Consultant for Tuberculosis
Gwinnett County Health Department

Clinical Sub-Investigator
Gwinnett Biomedical Research
Provide oversight and study management in Phase II–IV clinical research trials.

Preceptor
Nurse Practitioner students, Medical students, and Academic Internal Medicine Residents

Staff Nurse / Clinical Nurse
Gwinnett Medical Center
Aug 2008 – Aug 2014
Cardiac Services / Medical-Surgical. Provided direct care to patients in a fast-paced intensive unit with cardiac, renal, respiratory, and other progressive medical/surgical conditions. Expertise in post percutaneous coronary intervention care, cardiac arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure.

Board Certifications

  • Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Certificate
  • Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner

Medical Licensure

  • Advanced Practice Nurse (NP), State of Georgia
  • Registered Professional Nurse

Additional Certifications

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support (BCLS)
  • Clinical oversight and study management in Phase II–IV clinical research trials
  • Inpatient and outpatient pulmonary patient management
  • Admissions, consultations, progress notes, discharges, and hospital follow-ups
  • Preceptor for Nurse Practitioner students, Medical students, and Internal Medicine residents

Professional Memberships

  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
  • American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
  • Sigma Theta Tau International
  • Gwinnett Forsyth Chapter United Advanced Registered Nurses

Awards / Honors

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Summa Cum Laude
  • Bachelor of Science in Management Studies – with Honors

Presentations

  • No presentations listed on the provided CV