Sandra Tovar
Director of Nursing
UT Health Tyler

My passion for nursing came early on in childhood when I visited my closest and best cousin in the hospital. I stared in awe at the nurses that “healed” him. They were compassionate and so kind to him during this vulnerable time. I knew then, I wanted to be THAT when I grew up. My path to nursing was not a linear one, but every obstacle had its purpose. I began my nursing career on the orthopedic/trauma unit at ETMC, now UT Health Tyler. I have served the nurses of UT Health Tyler for over 9 years as a specialty clinical nurse, a clinical manager, throughput manager, and currently as the Director of Nursing for Acute Care services. I am working towards an advanced degree with the University of Arlington and hope to continue on a mission of lifelong learning.  Outside of the hospital, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, as well as my two fur babies, June and Rocky. They keep me humble and I work hard every day so they can enjoy the spoiled puppy life. I am a member of Grace Community Church and unite with other church members to volunteer healthcare hours at Bethesda Health Clinic in Tyler. I’m fluent in Spanish but I have a bucket list of languages I would like to learn in the near future.  My ultimate goal in nursing leadership is to advocate for nurses by providing them with the tools and resources they need to excel at the bedside. I truly believe if you take care of your team, the biggest impact will be felt by our patients.