Pennsylvania Nurse, Front Page 2017 Issue 3 | Page 20

PSNA Member Highlight
Tamra Minton, MSN, MBA, RN
Vice President Patient Care & CNO
UPMC East
Tamra, please tell our readers about yourself:
I was born and raised in West Virginia and now have a home in Penn Town-
ship. I started my nursing career in 1981 after graduating with a BSN from
Alderson-Broaddus University in Philippi, WV. My fi rst positions included
trauma-surgical ICU and the emergency department. I always knew that I
wanted to move into a leadership position.
After six years as a staff nurse, I accepted a position as a house supervisor.
This led to becoming an ICU nurse director. After 14 years in acute nursing,
I moved to home health and hospice where I opened a hospital-based home
health/infusion company. After realizing that I needed to learn more about business, I went back to school and earned
my MBA from Waynesburg University. In 2003, I returned to acute care in the hospital as director of care manage-
ment. Shortly after returning, I became the vice president of patient care and chief nurse offi cer. In 2007, I complet-
ed my MSN at Waynesburg University.
Until then, my career had been based in West Virginia. I learned that UPMC was building a hospital in Monroeville,
PA. I saw this as a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of new hospital. It was an opportunity to build a brand
new team committed to patient care. In 2011, I became the CNO and VP of patient care at UPMC East in Monro-
eville. It has been an amazing opportunity to be in Pennsylvania, meet new colleagues, and continue my nursing
career.
Why did you become a nurse?
My mother worked for a surgeon from age 18 until her retirement. Although she always wanted to be a nurse, she
couldn’t afford college. She was my inspiration to become a candy striper and continue into nursing. I am passionate
about patients and advocating for the best quality patient care for our communities.
Do you have a story that you would like to share that deeply impacted your career?
When I was in high school, my grandmother had a stroke that resulted in aphasia. She was an amazing woman who
loved sharing stories with her children and grandchildren. However, she lost the ability to do what she loved. I would
watch her struggle for words as tears came to her eyes. I couldn’t imagine how diffi cult it was for her. Therefore, I have
a special place in my heart for victims of stroke.
Issue 3 2017 Pennsylvania Nurse 18