Holly Roush ’96, a ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ nursing graduate, was recently named the vice president of Heart and Vascular Services at Penn State Health, responsible for operational strategy and coordination of services at the health system.
After graduating from ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, she started her career at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In 2001, after working in the intensive care units, she also served as the inaugural chair for the First Nurse Practice Council, working closely with executive nurse leaders. In 2004, with the launch of the Penn State Heart and Vascular Institute, she felt called to be a part of it.
“Many members of my family were affected by cardiovascular disease, so this new team approach to patient care, research and education of future health care providers resonated with me,” said Roush.
At the institute, she worked as a direct care nurse and then as a clinical nurse leader. A month into her new role, her uncle needed heart surgery and ended up in her unit.
“I knew that he and I were right where we were supposed to be when I entered his room and found his cardiologist, electrophysiologist, interventional radiologist and heart surgeon all at his bedside planning his care together,” she said.
In 2009, Roush stepped away to pursue a different role as operational leadership up until her recent promotion.
Growing up with a mother who was a nurse, Roush says she wasn’t sure she wanted to follow in her mom’s footsteps. In the beginning of her college career, she took classes in mathematics and teaching, but after some quiet reflection and prayer, she chose the nursing program.
Despite being intimidated by the intense curriculum, she says she received guidance and strong foundational learning.
“The support of the instructors paired with an opportunity to learn and practice in the simulation lab helped me feel more prepared to start in my first direct care position,” she said.
When the pandemic hit, Roush said she felt helpless, knowing that many of her nurses and physicians were working long hours and caring for patients with a virus they knew little about. Early in Penn State Health’s pandemic response, she helped staff at the Hospital Incident Command Center to make sure care teams had the resources and support they needed.
“Looking back,” she said, “I feel blessed and honored to have had this opportunity to help the care teams.”
Learning throughout her various roles within the nursing community and completing her master’s in nursing administration in 2015, Roush leaves fellow nurses with some advice: seek more education.
“I would encourage more nurses to consider the professional challenge and opportunities to lead healthcare operations. The collective impact for positive patient care and experience could be profound,” she said.
— Molly McKim ’23