The TSAOHN Board of Directors is composed of the following:
- President: Hilda Wist
- President Elect (Membership/Parliamentary Process ): Dr. Levinda Walpole
- Secretary (History/ Archives): Julia Reyes
- Treasurer:
- Election Advisor: Mary Garison
The Directors are appointed to the following positions:
- Director I (Governmental Affairs/Bylaws/Policy and Procedure): Henry Guevara
- Director II (Communications/Publicity ): Marsha Vanlandingham
- Director III (Professional Affairs/Conference/ Vendor Relations):
- Director IV (Awards/Recognition/Benevolence): Karen Parker
The Board of Directors meet three times a year and an invitation is extended to each of the local chapter presidents to attend.
I am honored to serve as President of the Texas State Association of Occupational Health Nurses, where I have also held various positions on the board of directors over the past decade, including President of the local Houston chapter. My 55-year nursing journey, driven by a deep passion for healthcare, began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas A&M University and continued with a Master of Science in Nursing, specializing as a Family Nurse Practitioner, from Prairie View A&M University. Currently, I am an Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner at Prime Occupational Health Services. I also dedicate my time to medical missions overseas and to Casa El Buen Samaritano here in Houston. Previously, I managed the on-site urgent health clinic for Enbridge Corporation, served as a Registered Nurse at St. Joseph Medical Center, worked as an Occupational Health Nurse at Shell Oil Company (contractual), and led the Occupational Health Department at Goodman Manufacturing Company. Serving as President is a profound privilege. I am inspired by the opportunity to lead our profession to new heights and am grateful for the dedication and support of our members. Together, we are not just meeting standards—we are setting them, paving the way for a future where our impact on occupational health is transformative and far-reaching.
As a healthcare worker for more than 3 decades, I continue to find joy in where I have been placed to work. I am passionate about helping others find their gifts and cultivate talents for the greater good of humanity. I began as a Cardiovascular ICU RN and moved into administration a few years later. I hold a specialty certification in Critical Care, a Master’s in Business Administration, a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration, and a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Certification as a Master Change Agent. I have held various positions, including Director, Administrator, ACNO, Regional Service Line Administrator, and currently the Administrative Director at Texas Medical Center Memorial Hermann, leading their Heart and Vascular Cath lab/ EP Services. My leadership roles have included oversight of Ambulatory, Intensive Care, Operating Rooms, All rehab therapies, and Occupational Health, ensuring employee safety. Nationally, I work in committees to help nurse staffing ratios and advance Director leadership roles with the American Organization of Nurse Leaders. Internationally, I sit on the board of Operacion San Andres, a nonprofit organization that aids in improving healthcare in impoverished parts of Peru and lead a group of medical volunteers. As President-elect, I am deeply committed to advancing the field of occupational health nursing at large by prioritizing workers’ well-being and safety. With a passion for advocacy and a track record of collaborating with my colleagues, I will strive to empower our community, drive innovation, and advocate for policies that promote a healthier, safer work environment. My success is our success. It is a byproduct of solid and trusted relationships harnessed with dedicated healthcare workers, people whom I am most honored to serve alongside. It is a blessing and privilege to represent this body of professionals who are passionate in having a remarkable voice that will be recognized at state, national, and international platforms to maximize awareness and increase our outreach to the safety of communities we have been called to serve.
I live in Corpus Christi, Texas and work as the Director of Occupational Health at Driscoll Children’s Hospital. Prior to working in Occupational Health, I was a PICU RN and a Paramedic, but my most prestigious job was being a stay at home mom to my 4 children (all grown and gone now). I have been in Occupational Health for a few years now and I absolutely love this field of nursing. As you know – there are never two days alike – OH has a new challenge every day!
I am blessed and honored to have the opportunity to represent our TSAOHN Organization once more. For the past 28 years I have had the privilege to actively represent our members as State President, Director of Awards, Director of Conference Vendors, President for Members at Large and as Director for AAOHN National Board of Directors. While serving our TSAOHN and National Board, I was awarded the Medique Leadership Award, the OMI Achievement Award and AAOHN Fellowship Award. During my tenure as a Board member, I have been active working diligently in addressing the issues of our organization. I advocated for and contributed to strategies and provide opportunities for sharing and problem solving. My commitment for TSAOHN is to strive for and promote excellence among our members. To mentor and encourage our new and seasoned members to take active part in our organization by volunteering to be candidates for Board positions. The board needs you, your ideas, your contributions to share new technology, education, and job opportunities for our young and new Occupational Health Nurses. My vision is to have well prepared occupational health nurse leaders who will lead our members in meeting the challenges of new future changes and demands. I am enthusiastic and excited to partake in the work of the Board of Directors, this time as Election Advisor. With your help, I will work relentlessly on your behalf to bring new candidates to run for office so we can give our members choices. You are our most valuable resource! As an individual chapter level, your membership strengthens our association and promotes our credibility and value as a profession. As Occupational Health Professionals, we are the best for improvising and make things work with very little resources and small membership. We make difficult tasks work. I challenge each of you to be the leaders and serve with unconditional love and dedication for our organization. Servant leaders seek the best intervals of those they lead, expecting nothing in return. Take action, Act by volunteering as a candidate for TSAOHN Board if not for state, then your local chapter. One person can make a difference. I am looking forward to serving you as your Election Advisor and pledge to do my best in representing you with pride and integrity.
I hold the position of Director of Governmental Affairs, Bylaws, and Policies and Procedures. Additionally, I work as a Nurse Practitioner for the Neuralink Corporation and serve as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, teaching in the graduate nursing program. Over the years, I have held various leadership positions, including President, and served as a Director for TSAOHN, AAOHN, and ATAOHN. As occupational health nurses, we continue to face challenging times, and I am eager to contribute to our professional organization in ways that benefit our entire group. Henry Guevara, PhD,MPH,APRN,FNP-C
I have worked as a public health nurse, and school nurse before retiring as a senior occupational health nurse at Texas Children’s Hospital. I worked at TCH for a total of 14 years. I started at the Texas Medical Center location and worked there for 10 years. I then opened the Employee Health office at the new TCH in The Woodlands. I worked at The Woodlands location for 4 years. What a blessing this was as I truly enjoyed the position! I am happy to serve and looking forward to my time as the Director of Communications. Thank you Marsha Vanlandingham, BSN, RN Retired Senior Occupational Health Nurse
My name is Karen Parker and I am the Senior Corporate Occupational Health Nurse at Phillips 66. I currently serve as the Election Advisor for the Houston Chapter of Occupational Health Nurses. As a director on the Texas Board of Occupational Health Nurses, I will work tirelessly with the board to help provide the members with tools that will help to grow the membership as well as offering other strategies needed to maintain the sustainability of our organization. I also see this as an opportunity to learn and grow within my profession to help it prosper.