Michelle Stokes
Clinical Director, Medical and Surgical Intensive Care Units
CHRISTUS Good Shepherd

With a previous background in leadership that ranged from restaurant management, opening restaurants, and retail management, nursing was a huge career change. At the young age of 34 I decided that I was ready to do more. I love people, and I love to serve, so nursing seemed like the natural career transition. I completed my pre-requisites at Kilgore College and received my BSN from UTT. I did all of this while working nights as a PCT and raising four boys. During my last year of nursing school, I was hired as a nurse extern at CHRISTUS Good Shepherd, and this is where my incredible journey as a nurse truly began. Upon graduation from UTT, I was hired as a Graduate Nurse to the ICU at CHRISTUS. After two years of working with an incredible team in the ICU, I was asked to step in as the interim director for the Medical and Surgical ICUs. Three months later I was offered the permanent role as Clinical Director. Over the last 3 years, my nursing skills and my leadership skills have been challenged by the pandemic and how it changed the face of healthcare, especially the nursing profession. Even with the challenges and uncertainties of the last two years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to learn and grow with an incredible team, and I truly love what I do. I love that every single day, I can make a difference. I am currently pursuing my MSN through UTA and look forward to my continued growth in what I believe to be the most noble profession.