February 28, 2024

When did you join UTHealth?
I became a member of UTHealth in September 1988.

What brought you here?
My passion and commitment to mental health care and the Harris County Psychiatric Center’s mission “dedicated to excellence and leadership in the provision of patient care and the growing need for treatment, patient care, and service of persons with mental illness residing in Harris County.” At that time, UTHCPC was one of the largest providers of inpatient psychiatric care in Houston.  I wanted to be a part of this dynamic team.

Tell us about your work history.
I have an extensive work history primarily in leadership roles at UT Harris County Psychiatric Center.  My nursing leadership roles started in 1988 as an assistant head nurse, progressing through roles such as head nurse, nurse manager, and assistant director of nursing. Additionally, I held a part-time position as an adjunct professor for The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Nursing.

In 2000, I was promoted to manager of performance improvement. Currently, I hold the position of director of clinical performance improvement for UTHealth Houston Behavioral Sciences campus, which stands as the largest academic psychiatric hospital in the country with 538 beds. I have been in these roles for the past 24 years. My current position is responsible for directing and planning implementation and analysis of all clinical and quality improvement activities for the organization. I also provide the overall administrative direction and oversight to the following functions: hospital-wide education, data management, infection control, clinical performance improvement, and regulatory functions (including CMS and Joint Commission Standards). I also oversee all functions of the clinical risk management program.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?
Looking back, I have many proud moments, including obtaining my bachelor’s of science degree in nursing from Prairie View A&M University and earning my master’s of science in nursing from The University of Texas School of Nursing.

I’m also proud of being recognized by the university – winning Diamond Manager of the Year, being named first Manager of the Year, and being selected first Employee of the Year.

I have helped to implement real changes here, including the Performance Improvement (Quality) Program and our first Utilization Review Department, Performance Improvement Program and Patient Safety Program. And I have been able to contribute to the nursing research with publishing in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Research

What do you enjoy about your work?
I enjoy the support and commitment that I receive from the team at all organizational levels when evaluating processes to enhance overall performance of the organization and supporting the mission, vision, values of the organization, and quality and safety initiatives.

It is gratifying to serve as a patient advocate, which helps me explore new ways to refine  processes to provide safe and highly reliable care. I also love being a mentor, and hopefully role model, for our students and staff.

Why have you stayed?
The foundation of my career here has been my passion and commitment to mental health.  The dedicated and dynamic team that I work with on a daily basis supports me in these efforts of pursuing excellence for our patients and the community.

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?
Family time, husband time, me time, watching game shows, Westerns, and mysteries. I enjoy reading daily devotions and motivational books, supporting ladies ministry, arts and crafts (making gifts baskets and creative greeting cards for family and friends), and last, but not least, shopping with my new daughter-in-law (whom I called the daughter I never had) and son.