When Vanessa Lozada proudly walked the stage during graduation, having earned an associate’s degree in nursing (A.D.N.) through Texas Health Resources’ partnership with Dallas College El Centro Campus, she’ll never forget what she heard.
“My 8- and 4-year-old boys yelled, ‘Best nurse ever!’” she said. “I had such a sense of accomplishment, and I was so proud.”
Lozada, director of the Emergency Department, is one of three nurse leaders at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Plano who got their start through the El Centro program. Kari McCord, associate chief nursing officer, and Andrea Ansley, director of nursing administration services, are also proud El Centro Eagles. The partnership started in 2003 as a pipeline for filling nursing needs at Texas Health.
The El Centro program was just the beginning of Texas Health’s support for the three leaders’ professional growth.
‘Be your best’
Ansley, M.S.N., R.N., NE-BC, was a member of the first cohort in the El Centro program in 2003. While in school, she worked full time as a patient care technician (PCT) and unit secretary at Texas Health Plano. Upon graduation, she began as a bedside nurse in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Promotions followed as a charge nurse, a supervisor and a manager. She became a director in 2021.
Along the way, Ansley earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees with support from Texas Health, including tuition reimbursement and flexibility in scheduling so she could also work full time.
“Education is important to me, because I am a firm believer that in whatever you are doing, you should be your best,” she said. “I wanted to learn everything I could, so I could be my best.”
Growing leaders from within
Lozada, B.S.N., R.N., worked as a unit secretary in the Emergency Department at Texas Health Plano while she earned her degree from El Centro. She was promoted within the department to serve as a nurse when she graduated and soon became a charge nurse and then a supervisor. Lozada earned her bachelor’s degree along the way.
“My manager at the time encouraged me, saying that I had raw leadership talent and that once I got my B.S.N., nothing could stop me,” she said.
In 2019, Lozada transferred to Texas Health Hospital Frisco, helping to open the Emergency Department as a manager. She returned to her roots at Texas Health Plano’s Emergency Department to become director in 2022.
“I owe everything to Texas Health,” Lozada said. “They grow their leaders from within, and I haven’t had to pay $1 for my education.”
A surprising career
McCord, M.S.N., RNC-OB, C-EFM, NE-BC, was a member of the second cohort of the El Centro program, and worked as a patient care technician in Labor and Delivery at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas while she was in school. Upon graduating, she began her nursing internship in the same department.
“My co-workers were my biggest cheerleaders,” she said.
McCord was promoted to charge nurse and then supervisor. She left Texas Health in 2012 and earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while working for a different organization. In 2019, she came to Texas Health Plano as director of Women’s Services before starting in her current role in 2021.
When McCord graduated from El Centro, she had no idea what was in store for her.
“I could have never imagined where I would end up in my career,” she said. “I didn’t even know that the role of nurse executives existed.”
Focus on your goals
All three leaders encourage nurses to take advantage of the professional growth opportunities at Texas Health.
“Don’t hold back. Go for your dreams,” Ansley said. “Look for mentors, access the programs and resources available at Texas Health and keep your eyes focused on your goals.”
