Randy Teal’s career in healthcare began with a sense of uncertainty and a reliance on those around him.
“My first role in healthcare was as a volunteer EMT,” said Teal, M.S.N., R.N., CCRN, the director of critical care at Texas Health Heart & Vascular Hospital Arlington. “To me, it was chaos. I had no clue what I was doing and relied heavily on those around me.”
It was through a chance encounter that he eventually found his way to Texas Health, marking the beginning of a 25-year journey.
“I often say I joined Texas Health by accident,” Teal said. ‘In 1999, I was a paramedic while in nursing school, and my EMS partner was an R.N. She wanted to attend a job fair at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital and next thing I knew, I was being interviewed for a nurse tech position in the cardiac care unit.”
Looking back on his career, Teal considers his greatest achievement to be the organizational culture of Texas Health Heart & Vascular.
“I’m incredibly proud of the culture we’ve built,” Teal said. “We provide excellent care, supported by an adaptable team that always remains welcoming, team-oriented and inclusive. For me, the culture stands out as my greatest accomplishment.”
That culture was nurtured in part by Teal’s leadership.
“Since the opening of our hospital, Randy has been an invaluable part of our team,” said Sherri Emerson, M.B.A., M.S.N., R.N., FACHE, Texas Health Heart & Vascular president and chief nursing officer. “His steady leadership has provided a strong foundation for our staff, ensuring stability and continuity.”
Continue reading to learn more about Teal in his own words.
What did you want to be as a kid, and how did you ultimately choose your career?
In high school, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My mother, a retired R.N., always encouraged me to pursue nursing, but I resisted and became a paramedic, working in Arlington for nearly 10 years. Eventually, I decided to go into nursing after realizing that many people I knew were working fewer hours and making more money. I entered nursing for the financial benefits, but while in school, I discovered it was my true calling. Yes, my mother was right — nursing was my calling from the start.
What is your role as director of critical care?
I oversee the clinical and operational aspects of several departments, including the cardiovascular intensive care unit, cardiac telemetry, cath lab, respiratory therapy, and the pre- and post-surgical unit, among others.
What kinds of innovative solutions have you implemented?
We were one of the first cath labs in the area to develop and implement a graduate nurse program. It has been very successful in helping new nurses gain knowledge, understanding and hands-on experience in the cath lab. This is a program we continue to run after eight years.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I am a cancer survivor. At 36 years old, I was diagnosed with RCMD (refractory cytoplasmic myelodysplasia), which progressed into AML (acute myelogenous leukemia). I underwent a bone marrow transplant from an unrelated donor and have been doing great ever since!
How do you live Our Texas Health Promise®?
I always strive to treat everyone with courtesy, dignity and respect.
