Kathryn Griffin, RN, MSN, NEA, BC, CNE of Terrell State Hospital
Schooling and Degrees
· East Carolina University
· Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), December, 1991
· West Texas State University
· Bachelor of Science in Nursing, (BSN), May, 1980
Certifications
· University of Texas at Austin
· Management Development Program, July, 2005
· American Nurse Credentialing Center (ANCC)
· Nurse Executive Advanced Board Certified (NEA-BC), expires August, 2010
Awards - Nominated for Outstanding Women in Texas Government, Outstanding Leadership Category
Recognized as a Great One Hundred Nurse, by the Texas Nurse's Association District III and IV, 2005
Snapshot of Experience: Mrs. Griffin has 25+ years of experience in Healthcare Administration in both the public and private sector. Mrs. Griffin is a strategic leader with a proven track record of planning, executing, administering, and monitoring day to day operations to accomplish high quality delivery of mental healthcare system services. She is a collaborative communicator with the ability to lead, develop, and motivate staff to achieve the organization's mission, goals, and objectives.
Kathryn has served in many positions throughout her career. Some of these include:
· Chief Operating Officer Brynn Marr Hospital, Jacksonville, North Carolina,
· Acting Head Nurse, Charge Nurse, and Obstetrics and Gynecology at High Plains Baptist Hospital, Amarillo, Texas,
· Charge RN, Labor and Delivery at Deaf Smith General Hospital, Hereford, Texas
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Kevin Michael Keith, RN, BSN
Pre requisites for nursing were obtained through: Texas A & M (College Station) On-line classes through U.S. Army, and Kilgore Junior College
Received a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from University of Texas Tyler
Began career in the emergency room but quickly transitioned to Mental Health care. Began his psychiatric nursing at ETMC Behavioral Health center. In 2001 was hired as 3-11 shift RN for Child and Adolescent Services of Terrell State Hospital. Promoted to Nurse Manager on the Intermediate Care Unit in 2003 and has served in that role since.
"My decision to go into nursing was unexpected. After graduating High School received a scholarship to Texas A & M, and quickly figured out that I did not yet know what I wanted to be when I grew up. That revelation resulted in my enlistment into military service. I became interested in the combat lifesaver / medic side of the military. Upon discharge I decided nursing was a career that would afford me the benefit of a flexible schedule, job security in any market, and a comfortable lifestyle. My reasons for remaining in nursing are slightly different. I love the feeling of helping people and there has been no greater reward for me in life than to be told by another person that "You changed my life...I will forever be grateful for your care and concern". That type of gratitude is what keeps me coming back day after day.
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Leslie Wilson, BSN, RN-BC
Completed Henderson County Junior College Vocational Nursing School in 1984. Graduated Trinity Valley Community College in 1988 with an Associate Degree in Nursing
Associate Degree in Nursing, Certificate of Completion of Vocational Nursing Program. Received his Bachelor's Degree of Science in Nursing from University of Texas in Arlington.
Snapshot of experience - 1+ year of Surgical/Telemetry Nursing at Mother Frances Hospital, 23 years in psychiatric nursing; 22 years at Terrell State Hospital. Worked on the Medical Unit, the Geriatric Unit, the Behavioral Unit as an LVN, the now defunct L Unit Insight Oriented Program for Borderline Personality Disorders as an LVN, worked the Adult Acute Unit on K Unit, Admissions Coordinator for Terrell State Hospital for 7 years through the roll-out of the NorthSTAR project, and for the last 2 ½ years Nurse Administrator for Acute And Medical Services; overseeing Units K, L, 7, Med II, Geriatrics, Admissions, ECT, Central Supply, Clinic Services, Radiology/ECG/EEG Services, and Transportation.
"I remember always being around hospitals, nurses, and doctors, because my mother was a nurse and I was always interested in working in the medical field. I remember telling Mr. Brooks, my 6th grade science teacher that I want to be a Registered Nurse and he was very encouraging. I recall he told me, "If I was smart that is what I should have done." That stuck in my mind; so my mother and Mr. Brooks are the reasons I went into Nursing."
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Pauliann Watson, RN
Schooling: Graduated United High School Laredo, Tx in 1979. After graduation, attended Laredo Jr. College and obtained her LVN license. Was the last graduating class from Henderson County Junior College (now TVCC) in 1986.
Degrees Associate Degree of Nursing 1986.
Snapshot of experience 1 year LVN in a Hospital in Laredo, Texas 5 yrs 1982-1987 LVN Child/Adol TSH. 5 yrs of Med/Surg which included ER, OR, RR and Head of Endoscopy. 7 yrs as ADON and DON of 2 Long Term Care facilities. Hired as a staff on the Forensic Unit in 1997, Nurse Manager of the Forensic Unit in March 2001 to present.
"I have always known I wanted to be a nurse since I was 7 years old. I never considered being anything else. I have always loved taking care of people, animals and anything I thought I could make better."
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DEBBIE RUSKY, RN
Debbie is the Electroconvulsive Therapy/Neurology Nursing Coordinator for Terrell State Hospital; the only public sector mental health facility in the state of Texas offering ECT Services. She has held this position for the last 8 years. Additionally, she has been responsible for not only policy development and implementation, but has ensured Terrell State Hospital's compliance with Joint Commission and CMS standards, but also compliance with the Texas Administrative Code and its regulations regarding ECT. She also provides Medical Equipment Training with the TSH Competency, Training, and Development Department. Ms. Rusky has been a nurse for 27 years. For 16 consecutive years she has been ACLS certified and has worked in ICU, ER, or PACU areas of Nursing. She also works in Psychiatric Home Health Nursing, as well as a Nurse Titrator for Ipsen Pharmaceuticals.
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Brenda Tilley, RN, AND, BSN, CLNC
"I graduated from El Centro College in Downtown Dallas in 1987 with an Associates Degree in Applied Arts and Science in Nursing (AND).
I graduated from The University of Texas at Arlington in 2005 with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing (BSN).
My long term goal is to obtain a Masters Degree in Nursing, specializing in Gerontology /Psychology.
I obtained my certification as a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant in 2007 which allows me to work closely with attorneys to solve their cases.
From the time I was seven years old I wanted to be a social worker helping women and children live better lives. My father developed Chronic Renal Failure secondary to Hypertension and as a result, he was on dialysis for the next 27 years until his death. At the age of 12, I was home alone with my father many days helping him get on and off the Hemodialysis machine.
I awakened one day and there I stood accepting My Degree as a Registered Nurse for the State of Texas. Prior to working for Terrell State Hospital, I worked as Director of Nursing in LTC for 18 years. I am Thankful! I am a Registered Nurse!"
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Sharon Zajic, RN
"I graduated from the Henderson County Junior College, Nursing Program. I hold an Associates Degree in Nursing. Started my career as a Circulating Nurse in the Operating Room at Terrell Community Hospital. Also worked for a while as a Circulating Nurse at Doctors Hospital in Dallas. Returned to Terrell as the Assistant Director of Surgical Services (which included Operating Room, Recovery Room, Sterile Supply and Day Surgery) at Medical Center Terrell. After spending two years as the Assistant Director of Surgical Services, I became the Director of Surgical Services and continued in that position for the next 15 years. The last 5 years of those 15 years my title was changed to Director of Specialty Services and I took over the directorship of the Emergency Room and Intensive Care as well as continuing with Surgical Services. I also served as the interim Director of Nurses for a short stent.
I became a nurse because I enjoy helping people feel better. Also the fact that my mother and brother are registered nurses helped to guide me into this field."
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Alicia McConnell, RN, BSN
· Graduated from Terrell High School May 25, 1978
· Graduated from Texas Woman's University May 11, 1985 with Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Began working at Terrell State hospital March 4th 1986 on the admission unit 8B on the 3-11 shift which then moved to L2. Transferred to the Extended Unit on 11-7 for 18 months then back to L2 on the 3-11 shift. Alicia accepted a Nurse Manager position on the CAU in 1993 and the Specialty Nurse Administrator Position in 1997.
"I have worked at a nursing home as the weekend supervisor since October 2003 and for a home health service since 1997 as this keep my medical skills current as well as my psych skills. I decided to become a nurse when I was 14 years old after assisting my mother with the care of my great grandmother who had cancer."
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Phyllis C. Medley, RN, BSN
"I fell in love with the nurse at the doctor's office when I was a very young child and wanted to be just like her. I had one short period of thinking that I might want to become a teacher for a few months while I was in high school even after working for a year as a volunteer aide at the new hospital in Elizabethtown, Kentucky where I grew up. My Mother advised me to speak with the Director of Nurses, Ruby Chitwood, to see if I could work as an aide for the summer after graduation. That did it! I could have the best of both worlds since nurses are some of the best teachers in the world."
Education:
- Diploma in Nursing 1961 - Owensboro Daviess County Hospital School of Nursing in affiliation with Murray State College, Owensboro, Kentucky
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing 1994 - University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas
Experience:
- Head Nurse of a medical unit at Owensboro Daviess County Hospital
- Office Nurse for a local Internist, Owensboro, Kentucky
- Staff Nurse at a Nursing Home, part-time, Owensboro, Kentucky
- Industrial Nurse for Green River Steele, Owensboro, Kentucky
- Industrial Nurse for General Electrical SAC, Owensboro, Kentucky
- Terrell State Hospital, Terrell Texas - retired 2001 after 22 years, 2 months
- Terrell State Hospital, Terrell, Texas July 2001 to present
"Nursing is an exciting field for anybody to consider. There is never a boring moment and always a challenge. There are many areas where a nurse makes a difference in the lives of people. I could not have chosen a greater career and hope I have influenced others to join this exciting profession. It is a fresh for me today as it was when I graduated."
