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Texas Nurses Association Board of Directors
The Texas Nurses Association Board of Directors includes three elected officers - TNA president, vice president and secretary/treasurer - and five regional directors who are elected from five geographic regions of Texas. For a look at the five TNA Regions and the counties that comprise them, view map here.
Members are encouraged to contact the Nominating Committee if they are interested in serving.
Susan Sportsman, PhD, RN – TNA President |
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Dean, College of Health Sciences & Human Services, Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls
Current Residence: Forestburg/Wichita Falls
Hometown: Henderson, Texas
"As a child I read Cherry Aimes books and thought nursing sounded like a career that would be fun! I also had an aunt who was a Navy nurse and she made it sound very romantic. Nursing has been fun at times and even romantic (I married a nurse!) and working in nursing education has afforded me the opportunity to impact the future of health care through the education of health care professionals. Besides nursing, I enjoy reading, needlepoint, seeing my grandchildren, and just hanging out with friends and family.
When I was a beginning nursing student, Billye Brown (dean at The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing) said it was important to be a member of the Texas Nurses Association. Then, when I was in graduate school, it became clear that it was important for my career, as well as for the future of nursing. I continue to be a TNA member because I care about nursing’s future and TNA membership keeps me connected."
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| Victoria England, RN, MBA – TNA Vice President |
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Victoria England, RN, MBA of Garland, has agreed to serve an appointed two-year term of office as the new vice president of Texas Nurses Association (TNA), a statewide professional association of registered nurses (RN). The appointment which England assumed on July 15 was made unanimously by the TNA Board of Directors. It is for 2010-2012.
In her new leadership role, England succeeds former TNA vice president Margie Dorman-O’Donnell, MSN, RN of North Richland Hills. Dorman-O’Donnell fulfilled two terms of service, the maximum allowed under association bylaws.
A long-standing member of TNA, England is a past chairman of the TNA Governmental Affairs Committee, a delegate representative to the American Nurses Association, and a past president of TNA District 4, the Dallas-area chapter of TNA. Professionally, she is currently the Magnet® Program Director for Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
“I am honored to be asked to serve as TNA’s vice president,” said England. “I am passionate about being a nurse, and about supporting the nurses in Texas through my participation in this organization that promotes quality health care for both nursing and patients through education, advocacy and the influencing of health care policy.”
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| Claudia C. Turner, MSN, RN – TNA Secretary-Treasurer |
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Nursing Faculty, Temple College, Temple
Residence: Temple
Hometown: Galveston, Texas
“Ever since I was a girl, I wanted to be a nurse. I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives. No other profession would do—nursing was for me. When I completed nursing school and accepted my first nursing job, my first director of nursing, Anna Pearl Rains, encouraged me to join TNA. If I wanted to have a voice in my profession, she said, TNA membership would provide it.
Today as I work with nursing students, I pass on this belief. I encourage students to get involved, become aware, and remain knowledgeable about the issues affecting their chosen profession. If they want to have a say in what will affect their career, TNA is the professional organization they should join. TNA is the beacon of knowledge, the catalyst for change, and the call to action for nursing in Texas. It is a privilege to be a member and a joy to work with the outstanding nurses in Texas who are TNA members.'”
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| Kleanthe Caruso, MSN, RN, NEA, BC – North Region Director |
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Chief Nursing Officer, Trinity Mother Frances Hospital-Jacksonville Residence: Tyler
Hometown: Houston, Texas
“I am a TNA member because I believe it is my professional responsibility to be an active participant in the future of nursing. My method of doing that is through TNA which is the voice of Texas nursing. I have been a member in Galveston, Dallas and now in Tyler. I have served as a TNA District President in Galveston and Tyler. Regularly I speak to student and practicing nurses to encourage their involvement and participation in TNA. I have witnessed many positive changes made to nursing as a result of the work that TNA does. I am proud to be a member of this dynamic voice of nursing.”
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| Jennifer Cook, PhD, MSN, MBA, RN – South Region Director |
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Nursing Faculty, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio
Residence: San Antonio
Hometown: Galveston, Texas
"Nursing fulfills my desire to help, to promote wellness and disease management. As a nurse educator, I have the advantage of preparing students for licensure with a curriculum based on traditional content and evidence-based practice – thus affecting direct patient care. Beyond nursing, I love spending time with my family, church activities, boating and traveling.
I was influenced to become a member of Texas Nurses Association in the early 1970s by my colleagues in the intensive care unit. The discussions often centered on topics stemming from their membership. Now it’s not an option to drop membership – TNA has been a critical component of my professional career. Where would nursing practice/health care be today without the efforts and leadership of TNA? The strength of the organization is the membership. Join – be a part of the continued success."
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| Viola Hebert, BSN, MA, RN – East Region Director |
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Director, Bariatric Services Program, Bayshore Medical Center, Pasadena
Residence: Tomball
Hometown: Victoria, Texas
"I was drawn to nursing because of my compassion and caring for those in need and suffering. I desired to make a difference in their situations. In my current role, I have direct interaction with nursing staff at all levels to help them be 'more of themselves' as individuals and nurses, and contributors to the profession and patient care. Besides my work, I am involved in singing, volunteering and theatre.
The late Billie Bell, one of my nursing school professors, introduced me to Texas Nurses Association. I’m still involved so that I’m a better informed nursing professional and so that I can actively participate in decisions about my profession – my life’s work. A collective voice is louder than a single voice – get involved, make a difference about what matters to you, your family and others who will need nursing care at sometime in their lives."
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| Jo Rake, MSN, RN, CNAA – West Region Director |
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Vice President of Nursing, Hendrick Health System, Abilene
Residence: Abilene
Hometown: Wichita Falls, Texas
"When I was in college, a close friend was a nurse and I frequently visited her in the dorm. I loved the relationship with student nurses. A mission trip to a Baptist hospital in Mexico provided a 'close-up' of nurses' interaction. All of that together lead me to nursing and now I enjoy the opportunity to make a difference everyday in the lives of patients and staff. When I’m not at the hospital, I enjoy all aspects of outdoor gardening and I’m a certified Master Gardner.
While a member of TONE, I saw how much information was available through the Texas Nurses Association and how influential TNA is. I wanted to be a part of that organization! TNA is a dynamic organization that speaks for nurses, and provides information to members and the opportunity for input from members. No other organization can match it! Join and be a part of what’s happening or you’ll be left behind."
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| Dana Danaher, MSN, RN, CPHQ – Central Region Director |
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Director of Clinical Quality and Patient Safety, Seton Family of Hospitals, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, Austin
Residence: Austin
Hometowns: Dallas/Houston, Texas
"I was looking for a career that provided a wide variety of opportunities over the course of the career and that’s what I’ve found with nursing. Providing care and acting as a patient advocate are my focus now and I enjoy the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary teams to achieve improved care and outcomes for patients. Outside of nursing, I enjoy running, reading, spending time with my family and ballet.
I came to Texas Nurses Association through graduate school experience with the organization and by learning about the organization from my instructors. I continue to be an active participant in the voice of nursing in Texas and to be a part of nursing’s input on key issues affecting nursing and health care for Texans in general. TNA needs a diverse and robust membership in order to have a comprehensive voice that represents all of nursing and advocates both for the profession and the individual nurse. Each member is crucial to achieve this and make a difference."
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