Editor’s note: This is one article in a series highlighting the students participating in UTHealthLeads.

UTHealthLeads is a one-year student fellowship program to develop future leaders in health care.

In the program, UTHealth Houston students learn how to develop self-awareness, increase their leadership confidence, lead others, and effectively influence systems.

A total of 23 UTHealth Houston students make up this year’s cohort. They will be provided opportunities to network with leaders, develop fundamental skills, and commit to actions to continue their growth.

Meet the 2023-24 UTHealthLeads fellows at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston:

Andrea “Annie” Behr

Behr is a second career nurse, having previously taught high school English. Her unconventional path to nursing has made it clear that being a nurse and working in health care is exactly what she was meant to do. In her spare time, when not taking her four children to and from activities, she likes to run half-marathons and take Zumba classes. Behr is currently enrolled in the Nursing Leadership track in the Master of Science in Nursing program. 

What brought you to nursing?

My road to nursing has been a long and winding one. After earning my first degree in English and theater, I taught high school English for five years. After having my children, I realized I wanted to become a nurse to help other women through their first moments of parenthood. After finishing nursing school with four small children at home, I realized that nursing is what I am meant to do. I have loved being a bedside nurse, working with patients and newborns, as a mother and baby nurse. I am looking to grow my skills and to be able to become an inspirational leader.

What are you hoping to gain from this program?

I am hoping to learn how to effectively influence and inspire those around me, both in a leadership role and as a peer. I look forward to making various connections among different schools and specialties and challenging myself as a leader.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?

I hope to be able to use all the skills and knowledge gained through this program and my time at UTHealth Houston as a manager or director in women’s services at a hospital. I hope to cultivate the kind of environment where nurses are happy and inspired, patients feel heard and well taken care of, and the idea of coming to work is invigorating.

Shaniya Mathew

Mathew is currently enrolled at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston in the post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the Nurse Executive track. She is an operating room nurse at Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center in Houston and has been a nurse for 21 years.

What brought you to nursing?

I honestly was looking for a stable job where I can be passionate, learn, lead, and advance.

What are you hoping to gain from this program?

I am hoping to grow as a leader, get out of my comfort zone, and improve my network.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?

I would like to be a resource person and a guide to newcomers, promote the nursing career, improve the image of nursing, and attract a younger generation.

Ashley Tolbert

Tolbert is currently enrolled at Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston in the post-master’s Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the Nurse Executive track. Tolbert is a family nurse practitioner but took a break from practicing after the pandemic. She has been a nurse for nearly 14 years. She’s currently an ER Nurse Manager with Hospital Corporation of America. She has a daughter, Kynnedi, who is 8 years old.

What brought you to nursing?

I truly love the connection I make with people, especially patients. It means a lot when you can improve what they consider their worst day by simply being kind and empathetic.

What are you hoping to gain from this program?

Networking, meeting new people from various backgrounds, and growing my skills in leadership.

Where do you hope to be in 10 years?

Hopefully, enjoying my career as a nurse executive in a top health care organization within the Texas Medical Center.

Kenny Bybee