After 36 years of serving those who entered Castleview Hospital, Chief Nursing Officer Terri Watkins’ last day of employment at the hospital was spent in celebration of over three decades of making the community healthier.
“It is difficult to express how wonderful these years have been for me,” said Watkins. “I am so proud to be associated with all of the dedicated staff and friends at Castleview Hospital who help make our communities healthier. It will be sad to leave, the truth is I love my job and the people I work with.”
Watkins began her employment with Castleview Hospital in 1980 as a house supervisor. In 1984, she became the director of the maternal and infant department. In 1986, Watkins took on the emergency department as well. At one point, Watkins was the director for emergency department, respiratory department, industrial medicine, wellness center and sleep study. With the vast experience of all these clinical areas, Watkins became the chief nursing officer and risk manager in 2003.
“Terri’s passion for learning and her commitment to the profession of nursing has had a tremendous impact on our staff and on our organization,” said Mark Holyoak, Castleview CEO. “We are honored and privileged to have worked alongside Terri in her efforts to make communities healthier. We are extremely appreciative of her service and wish her the best in retirement.”
Those in attendance at the retirement celebration expressed similar sentiments as a steady line of coworkers, friends, family and patients lined the hospital classroom to send off Watkins to her next adventure.
Watkins is looking forward to spending a time with her sweetheart, Chuck, and their grandchildren. She has also stocked up on fabric and will have her sewing machine going full speed in any spare time she has.
