2022 Honorees

Juanita became a nurse after her husband died of metastatic lung cancer. He had been a patient in the
Oncology Unit at Midland Memorial Hospital for the last three weeks of his life. She was so impressed
with the compassion and quality of care provided to her husband that she wanted to be able to help other people who found themselves in similar situations that she and her sons had experienced. Juanita received her ADN from Midland College in May, 2010 and started work at Midland Memorial Hospital in June, in the same Oncology unit where her husband had been a patient. Juanita felt like she was at “home” in that unit and found working there therapeutic. She became the Clinical Manager of that unit in September, 2013. She supports the patient’s decision regarding the kind of treatment they want to receive and helps coordinate and administer chemotherapy ordered by the Oncologists. If the patient chooses not to receive treatment, she and her team support the patient and their family with empathy and compassion. Juanita loves working with patients and families, many going thru the same struggles she had experienced. She also loves working with the students, interns and new nurses who are the future of the Oncology Unit. Juanita obtained her BSN from Grand Canyon University and her MSN from UT Medical Branch in Galveston. She plans in the future to move into nursing education.

Mandy Anderson is currently employed at Howard College in Big Spring, Tx as an Associate Professor in the ADN program and serves as the Health Professions Divisions Director. Mandy has been a registered nurse for 23 years. Mandy received her diploma from Methodist Hospital School of Nursing (Covenant School of Nursing currently) in 1999 and began her career in critical care and renal telemetry. Mandy worked at Covenant Medical Center and received “Critical Care Employee of the Month” and was nominated as a New Employee Mentor for new nursing graduates. Mandy continued her education and received her BSN at Texas Tech University in 2004 and then her MSN in nursing education in 2010 from University of Texas at El Paso. Mandy also has nursing experience in PACU, home health setting, and hospice setting. Mandy has been a nursing educator in the community for 13 years and continues to love to teach and inspire nursing students. Her goal is to continue to impact nursing students to inspire them provide safe, high-quality care to patients in our local communities. It is such a reward to go to a facility and see one of your graduate nurses developing from novice to expert and paying it forward to the next generation of nurses to come. Mandy lives in Big Spring, Tx and has been married for 21 years to her husband, Phillip Anderson. They have two children, Garrett (20) and Brady (14). Mandy enjoys cooking, reading, and enjoys traveling with her family.

Lori Bowen proudly graduated from the LSUMC where she earned her BSN in 1989 and was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing. Her thirty-three-year nursing career has included service to both the adult and pediatric populations. In addition to her nursing role in the adult surgical intensive, endoscopy, and ambulatory care units, Lori has volunteered in community health outreaches like community vaccination administration and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training. Lori’s school nursing career began in 2006 in Katy, Texas. In 2011, Lori received Houston’s Texas School Nurses Organization Distinguished Services Award for her innovation in the practice of school nursing. Presently, Lori is beginning her tenth year as the Midland Freshman High School nurse. She has developed a passion for advancing the school nursing practice in the Permian Basin. She became a nationally certified school nurse and has served multiple terms as president of the Region 18 Texas School Nurse Organization’s executive board. She has presented at and actively participated in the
planning and coordinating of multiple Region 18 conferences for school nurses. Lori holds memberships in the American and Texas Nurses Associations, the National Association of School Nurses, and the Texas School Nurses Organization. In her free time, Lori loves spending time with her husband, Alan, their children, and their grandson and grandpets. She and Alan can often be found creating something fun in their backyard workshop. They also enjoy being servant-leaders in the second and third grade pod at Stonegate Fellowship.

Christie been a nurse for 24 years. She graduated from Odessa College and received her BSN from Capella University in 2016. She has been with ECISD for 6 years. Christie has also worked in Med-Surg, home health, Hospice Care, Obstetrics-Gynecology, Cardiology and Pediatrics. She is currently over the campuses Barbara Jordan and the Alternative Center in Odessa. Christie has been married for 15 years and has a son that is a freshman.  Her family loves going to the lake, camping and river floating.  

Imo Jean Douglas, BSN, RN, CPN, NCSN, is the Director of Health
Services for MISD. She is a nationally certified pediatric nurse and
nationally certified school nurse. Imo Jean is the President of the Texas
School Nurse Administrator’s Association, Past-President of the Region 18 Texas School Nurse Association, and a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. She earned her diploma in nursing at Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, then earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, summa cum laude, at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. With 27 years as a registered nurse, Imo Jean has experience in pediatric acute care, pediatric hematology and oncology, pediatric intensive care, and pediatric community health. In her 10 years as a school nurse, Imo Jean has had the honor of leading a dedicated team of professional nurses who empower all students to succeed in academics and life. She calls school nursing “divine, difficult work that changes generations.”  Imo Jean was recognized at the 2021 Permian Basin Non-Profit Management Center Beacon Awards for her work with MISD on the Midland Unified Command Team, which received the Excellence in Collaboration Award for community pandemic response efforts.

Abbie Echevarria has been a nurse for about 5 and a half years and has worked at MMH CCU from the time she graduated from Amarillo College in 2016. Critical Care truly has been my heart, and she says it has been so rewarding being able to serve the community of Midland and the surrounding area. Abbie has always had a heart for helping people, and what better way to do that than Nursing. Abbie is currently a charge nurse in the Critical Care Unit, and says it has been a
wonderful experience so far. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree from UTA and has plans to eventually pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant. She is honored to be chosen as a Permian Basin Great 25 Nurse.
 

Luci Gabehart currently serves as the Dean of Instruction and Dean of Health Professions for Howard College’s Big Spring Campus.  She oversees the ADN, VN, and dental hygiene programs. Luci also
oversees CE Health and holds campus wide instructional duties.
Luci has been a Registered Nurse since 1997 receiving her Bachelor’s in Nursing from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. She received her Master’s in Nursing from University of Phoenix in 2007. Luci worked in a variety of clinical settings including the OR specializing in neuro before starting her career at Howard College as an instructor in 2006. Luci loves educating future nurses and loves how this role allows her to empower the future of our great profession.  She has been blessed to work with a team of great nurse educators at Howard College who have made positive impacts on many nurses here in the Permian Basin and all around the world. Luci lives in Big Spring, TX and has been married to her husband Greg for over 25 years.   She is also a mother to her three children Jonathon, Thomas, and Mary Kate.  In her free time, Luci enjoys traveling,

Tina Garcia was born and raised in Midland. She received her Bachelors of Science from the Rory Meyers College of Nursing at New York University in 2015. In 2018, she was hired to the Progressive Care Unit at Midland Memorial Hospital, the very hospital she was born in. She says the team she works with has molded her in to the nurse she is today with their educational opportunities and motivation to see their staff develop professionally. Tina worked on the PCU for four years and transitioned to the Critical Care Unit in February of 2022. The CCU and PCU are a cohesive work force and she cannot imagine working anywhere else. Tina’ future intentions include pursuing nursing certifications and continuing to create unit-based and hospital projects to improve the hospital workflow. She says she is thankful and honored to be recognized for her dedication to her community.

Maegen Garner started her nursing career in 2008 when she received her LVN from South Plains College. She then continued her education in 2010 when she graduated with her RN and then BSN in 2016. Maegen originally began her nursing career with Covenant Medical Center before moving to Denver City with her husband and joined the team at Yoakum County Hospital in the Surgery Department. Looking to expand her knowledge base Maegen joined Seminole Hospital District in the Clinical IT department in 2016. Maegen served as the Director of Clinical IT during this time expanding her knowledge in Hospital operations. In 2019 Maegen was named Chief Clinical Operations Officer for SHD. Maegen has supported the clinical departments as they have built strong teams and expanded service lines. Maegen has received her Rural Hospital CNO certification from the National Rural Health Association and is currently in school for her MBA with a much-anticipated graduation date of December 2022. During peak times of COVID Maegen pulled the clinical teams together to build a temporary ICU so that the staff of SHD could care for patients till a transfer could be secured. As well as organized and assisted with COVD vaccination clinics in the community. Maegen is passionate about providing high quality patient care and serving others. Maegen is married to Chase Garner, and they have two wonderful children Austyn 9 and Katelyn 6. Maegen credits her husband as her greatest supporter and is grateful for all who have supported her throughout her career.

Shay graduated from Seattle University with her Bachelor’s in Nursing in 1997. It was during nursing school that Shay fell in love with the intensity and unpredictability of the ICU. She worked in various ICU/CCU departments in Washington, Alabama, and Texas while her husband, Don served in the Air Force. With two young children at home and Don, leaving the Air Force, they moved to Midland to raise their family. After working a year in the ICU at Midland Memorial Hospital and covering for the school nurse at Trinity, Shay found her true passion in school nursing. For the last 17 years, Shay has been a school nurse with Midland ISD and is currently serving the students, staff, and families at Midland High School. Shay received the Unsung Hero Award of the Year for Midland High School and for all MISD in 2021 for her service and commitment while impacting the lives of students during Covid. Shay has volunteered her time teaching MISD staff in Stop the Bleed training, First Aid, and CPR. She has also volunteered in community health outreaches assisting MMH with Covid vaccination clinics and local health departments with childhood vaccination clinics. Shay is a member of the Texas School Nurse Organization and National Association of School Nurses where she takes part in the Sight for Student’s Program helping uninsured students receive eyecare. In her free time, Shay loves to travel with her husband, Don, and their children, Eric and Emily.

Nicole was born and raised in Odessa Texas, to Cirilo and Maria Isabel Salgado.  She went through the public school system of ECISD and graduated from Odessa High School in 1997.  Nicole went to school shortly at Our Lady of the Lake University of San Antonio before changing her major to Nursing.  I returned home to complete her associates degree in Nursing at Odessa College.  She started her nursing career at Midland Memorial Hospital as a Medical Surgical staff nurse. She later became a travel nurse working in various locations in California and Arizona.  Family has always been a big part of her life, so she returned to Odessa in 2005 to work as a School Nurse for ECISD.  Nicole later married her wonderful husband, Joe, of 12 years, and they now have four beautiful children Joe Michael, Isabel, Beatrice, and Fransisco.  When she's not nursing, she enjoys experiencing life with her family and watching their growth.

Raised in the small Texas town of Snyder, Kim graduated from Snyder High School in the year 2000. After High School she worked as a Manager of McDonald’s and then as a prison guard for TDCJ. Looking for a more compassionate and promising career, she enrolled at TSTC-West Texas in Sweetwater and graduated as an LVN in 2006. Working for several years as a travel nurse for Texas Ragdoll Nursing Agency, she was blessed with many assignments that not only made her a strong nurse but guided her on her journey as she advanced in her nursing career. Graduating from Howard College in Big Spring in 2013 with her RN lead her to vast experiences in the ER, NICU, Orthopedics and as a DON in long-term care for several years. In 2022, Kim graduated Summa Cum Laude from Grand Canyon University with a BSN while employed as Quality Improvement, Risk Manager, and Trauma coordinator for a West Texas critical access hospital. She says her nursing journey has been exciting and would not have been possible without the supportive supervisors she has met along the way, and the love of my two amazing daughters, Madisyn and Lillianna.

Mari Lemus has been a registered nurse for seven years. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Texas Permian Basin in May of 2015. The 2022-2023 school year will be her fourth year as a school nurse with ECISD. Before working as a school nurse, Mari worked for three years as a pediatric nurse at Cook Children’s Hospital in Fort Worth, TX and one year on the mother/baby unit at Medical Center in Odessa, TX. Mari has been married to her husband, Ismael, for four years and they have a 1 ½ year old son, Calvin Samuel. Mari enjoys being a nurse because she has been able to make a difference in the lives of her students and patients by being knowledgeable and compassionate. She is a dedicated nurse who is always ready to do what’s best for those around her. Mari plans to resume taking courses toward her Master of Science in Nursing Education degree at the University of Texas Arlington in the Spring of 2023.  

 Dollye Martinez graduated from the Odessa College LVN program in 2019. She went to work as a staff nurse at ORMC on the Medical-Surgical floors. She transitioned at Odessa College and graduated with her ADN in December 2020. In April of 2021, she started working PRN at Midland Memorial Hospital on the Post-Surgical Unit and was eventually changed to a full-time position. She says this change has been so beneficial for her and not only has it allowed her to grow in leadership but also has allowed her to build community with the residents of Midland. Dollye serves as a team leader / charge nurse for
the floor, and she loves to lead people and work as a “team” in a team setting. Her nursing motto is “to serve people with the love of Christ, to serve others as Christ served me. To ignite hope in the hopeless, and to comfort the broken hearted and most days this is obtained without even speaking the name Jesus.” And she does it graciously. Dollye has been married for 25 years to her absolute best friend and high school sweetheart Armando. The two grew up in the Permian Basin, and we have raised their 2 kids here. They attend Renew Life Church of Midland and look forward to our community's continued

growth and development.

Marissa was born and raised in Odessa by her mother Belinda and her late grandparents Lucio and Katy Lara. Marissa is married to Oz who is also an RN and works as a Pacemaker Clinical Specialist. They are the proud parents of two handsome young men Maxim 5 and Jaden 21.
Marissa graduated from Odessa High School in 2005 and Odessa College in 2016 with her Associates degree in Nursing. Prior to nursing school and while attending college she worked as Medical Assistant in a broad range of clinics and specialties gathering knowledge and skills that
would lay the foundation for her nursing career. Marissa always knew growing up that she wanted to be a nurse. She remembers admiring and aspiring to be like the nurses she would see at hospitals as a child. She has always had a passion for working with infants and children. She began her career as a nurse in 2016 in the NICU at Odessa Regional Medical Center. Currently, she works as the School Nurse at Odessa High since 2018. Following her passion for working with children, she loves working in the school setting where she is able to promote health, educate students and provide health resources for students in need.

Maria Ellen Montinola has been a nurse for 28 years. She has 2 children, a son named JC who is 21 yrs old, and a daughter Kiara who is 19 yrs old. Both of them are in college right now. She has a loving husband named Cyril and the two have been married for 22 years. She moved to Midland in 2014 and she is part of the international nurses who were hired back then. She had lived in Singapore for 17 years prior to moving to Midland. She met her husband in Singapore and her kids were born there. Maria was born in the Philippines and finished her BSN there in 1994. 
She loved to watch movies in her spare time, particularly romantic movies. Her family loves going on road trips and has traveled as far as California & South Dakota. They say their favorite by far is Colorado with its breathtaking scenery. Her family is her utmost priority in life. She says they are her source of joy and inspiration. She is a born-again Christian with a deep faith in God. 

As a young boy growing up, Jeff watched my mother become a Registered Nurse and work in the local hospitals in Big Spring, Texas. He was inspired by her to provide care for people in need. His first experience in patient care was as a volunteer at the local Veterans
Administration Hospital. He was a “candy striper” at age 12 , working in the outpatient clinic taking vital signs, and transporting patients to the various testing centers and appointments as needed. He did this until age 14 and was a nurses aide at Hall-Bennett hospital until he was 17. He first watched a CRNA perform anesthesia in that hospital in 1976 and knew then that he wanted to become a CRNA. Fast forward 10 years and with a loving wife and growing family of 3 children in tow, Jeff left the oil field as a Driller for Oil and Gas in Southeast New Mexico and West Texas and returned to his true calling in nursing. He enrolled in Howard College in the LVN program and carried 17 hours a semester going to class all day and again each evening. He graduated with honors as “Outstanding LVN student” of the year and immediately went into the accelerated ADN program. He finished that with a 4.0 GPA and was, once again, awarded the “Outstanding RN student” of the year. He immediately went to work in ICU at the multidisciplinary unit at Scenic Mountain. His nursing instructor’s from Howard College, Ramona Harris and June Stone instilled in him the foundation of excellence that he has strived for every day in his career of 30+ years of direct patient care. He carries those values with him and knows that God has called him to this wonderful field of nursing.

Crissy Preslar graduated from Odessa College with her RN degree in 2001. She worked as an intern, staff nurse, and relief charge on 8C at Medical Center Hospital for 15 years. She joined ECISD as a school nurse in 2016 and is currently working at Nimitz Middle School. Crissy is also an immunization nurse for the district. She has been married to her husband for 20 years and has two children. As a family, they enjoy going to the beach, bay fishing, and watching the kids play club soccer. 

Thomasson wanted to be a teacher or a probation officer after high school. She was a bartender, waitress, nail tech, admin assistant, and many other things. She had her daughter, Abbey, in 2000
and decided she needed a good career that could support her. She completed her LVN program in 2005 and Associates degree-nursing in 2006. She has worked at ORMC in the newborn nursery, post-partum, pedi, med-surg, tell, and rehab units. She also worked in hospice and Nurses Unlimited Pediatrics. For the past four years, I has been an RN case manager with Angels of Care Pediatrics. She worked as a field nurse for a year and moved to case management. She travels to El Paso, Abilene, Amarillo, San Angelo, Brownwood, Midland, Lubbock, Ft. Stockton, Pecos and all surrounding areas to see her kiddos. She says “that there is not a nursing position that I haven’t loved.” She recently found a Dr. Seuss question book that she had filled out with her grandmother. The last page asks, “What you want to be when you grow up?” she wrote a rodeo cowgirl and a nurse. Chantel wishes she had found that book years earlier. She has been married to the love of her life, Chris, for 9 years. They have two daughters, 21-year-old
Abbey and 15-year-old Kati. She love the lake, her pool, and skydiving. She is now attending the University of Texas Arlington working toward her BSN. Never say never.

Jan Tinney has been a Registered Nurse for over 40 years. She attended school in Odessa and graduated from Permian High School. Jan remembers telling her friends in the third grade at Gonzales Elementary School, she wanted to be a nurse. She volunteered as a Candy Striper in Junior High and started her nursing career as Nurse’s Aide at MCH. She earned her LVN and ADN from Odessa College and has been RN since 1986. She obtained a BSN and MSN from Tech University Health Science Center. Areas worked include Newborn Nursery, Neonatal ICU, Pediatric ICU, Neonatal Transport Team, Adult ICU, Perioperative Nursing, OR supervisor, Director of Nursing for two Ambulatory Surgery Centers, Nursing Instructor, Case Manager, Home Health Nurse, Hospital Educator, Employee Health Nurse and School Nurse. Jan has been an American Heart Association instructor since 1988. She teaches BLS and ACLS courses. While teaching nursing at UTBP, she was the Simulation Center Coordinator and Curriculum Coordinator. Jan is currently a School Nurse for Sam Houston Elementary in Odessa. She began working for ESCID during the pandemic in August 2020 and loves working with children. This is her third year as a school nurse. She is truly blessed and privileged to work with elementary students. Jan is dedicated to helping the homeless in Odessa through donations and volunteer work. She loves spending time with her family and two dogs.

Lili Tran is a Registered Nurse at Midland Memorial Hospital. She began her career in the Progressive Care Unit after graduating from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with her BSN in 2019. After working in PCU for two years, she transferred to the Critical Care Unit
where she is currently a Team Leader, a preceptor for new nurses and interns, serves on the AccuCath ultrasound team, and acts as Co-Chair for their Unit Based Meetings. She is also a member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. Through this organization, she
recently earned a national board certification in Critical Care. Lili has plans to further her education and career in nursing by pursuing a CRNA position in the future. On her days off, Lili enjoys cooking and spending time with her friends, family, and fiancé.

Tela has known she wanted to be a nurse since she was 16 years old. She started working at ORMC as a CNA when she was 21 years old going through nursing school in Post-Partum and Nursery. She knew that Momma and Babies was where her calling was. Soon after she went to work for Dr. Ghassan Fanous for 4 years. During her time there she graduated from Midland College and worked as his staff RN. She then went on to fulfill her dream of becoming a Labor and Delivery nurse at Medical Center Hospital. During her time at MCH she also got her Certification as a Pediatric/Adult Sexual Assault Nurse. Tela welcomed her first Baby Hannah while working at MCH and became a single mother. She found it difficult during that time to work the shift life and went back to Dr. Fanous for another almost 5 years as his Clinical Coordinator. She has since moved on to work for the Steward Medical Group at Odessa Regional Medical Center where she has been now for 3 years. She has been the Practice Manager over the Midland and Odessa Perinatal Center. In March of 2021, she made a huge change in the field of practice and went to family medicine where she is currently the Practice Manager over Complete Care North. She is currently finishing up her BSN at Texas A&M International University and is due to graduate in December. After that, she plans on pursuing her dream of becoming a Nurse Midwife. Tela has an amazing husband, Shelby Whitley, who stands beside her and supports every dream. She also has two amazing daughters. Hannah, who is a very sassy 9 year old and a spunky 2 year old, Kynden.

Monique Wilson became a nurse after receiving her Diploma of Nursing from Conestoga College in Ontario, Canada in 1992. She moved to Midland TX and began her nursing career at Midland Memorial Hospital. She has been a practicing RN since that time with experience including post-surgical, emergency, critical care, and rehab nursing. The majority of her practice has been in the Emergency Department with 21 years in direct patient care and 6 years as the unit education coordinator. In September of 2020, she moved to a new role as a simulation coordinator and project rollout coordinator. She graduated with her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing in 2014 and is currently enrolled in a Master’s of Science in Nursing program. Monique has obtained three national certifications which are Certified Emergency Nurse, Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse, and Board-Certified Nursing Professional Development.  

Yvette Woody, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Mitchell County Hospital District located in Colorado City. Previously, Yvette has filled large roles as Chief Quality Officer at Odessa Regional Medical Center and Medical City Weatherford. During her time in Odessa, she had the opportunity to serve as an interim chief nursing officer. The experience opened the door to staying on the chief nursing officer path. Yvette joined Mitchell County at the beginning of the pandemic from a larger corporation. She has 33 years of nursing experience ranging from extensive quality and regulatory roles. Over the years she has included teaching and mentoring nurses in all specialties. Her biggest accomplishment is receiving the Healthcare leadership alumni award from theTexas Tech Health Science Center in 2018. Joining the rural setting has given her a new passion to create new challenges to give the very best quality care in a unique environment. Yvette earned her Bachelors in Nursing and Master’s in Nursing at Texas Tech Health Science Center. She maintains her Healthcare Accreditation Certification to keep her knowledge in quality current. Yvette has been married to Milton and has 5 children. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with kids and grandkids.

Prospero Yanez is a husband to a beautiful wife and a father of two beautiful daughters. He has lived in Big Spring, Texas most of his life. After he graduated high school, he worked manual labor jobs until he was involved in a car accident where he rolled his pickup multiple times. He ended up shattering both his hip sockets, fractured his pelvis, tore both ACLs, fractured his right shoulder, fractured his left arm, and had some compressed discs in his back. He had to undergo seven surgeries and a lot of physical therapy. This experience was a blessing to Prospero because he got to meet all kinds of nurses. Their care and compassion are what led him to become a nurse. He obtained his LVN license first, then transitioned to obtain an RN license in May 2019. He immediately started working in the ER at Scenic Mountain as a graduate nurse and has been working there as an ER RN since. In 2020, he was offered the position of charge nurse on the day shift and established himself in this leadership role. The ER is his love and passion. He says he loves the fast pace and the diversity of patients that come into the ER. It is his goal to provide the best compassionate nursing care in hopes that he can make an impact on someone else’s life the way he was impacted by other nurses.