Methodist Hospital Atascosa* is proud to introduce Tonja Thigpen, MSN, CCNS, CCRN-K, NEA-BC, as their new Chief Nursing Officer.
Thigpen will join the hospital after serving as the Assistant Chief Nursing Officer at Reston Hospital Center in Reston, Virginia. Tonja has held several other leadership roles throughout her career, including Administrative Director of Nursing Operations and Practice at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Having served as a Nursing Director over several departments including, Critical Care, Emergency Department, Trauma and Adult Care Services, Tonja brings extensive experience to the hospital. At Mary Washington hospital, she improved nurse retention in her Critical Service line and Emergency Department. She also received the Outstanding Leader Award in 2018 and 2019 and led her Emergency Department to obtain a high-performing team award in 2018.
Tonja holds a BSN from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MSN from Liberty University. She is a Doctorate candidate at the Virginia University of Lynchburg and on track to graduate in December of 2021. She has also completed the AONE Nurse Director Fellowship Program in 2016 and is a board-certified Critical Care Nurse Specialist certified in Critical Care Nursing and Nursing Administration. Tonja has a proven track record of fostering a culture of ownership through accountability, respect, innovation, and shared governance. Tonja also served in the United States Army for nine years; she is married to Major General William Thigpen and has two children.
"God has blessed me with the capacity to assist people in need; it is a privilege to serve all nurses—to advocate for high-quality care for our patients and to provide a healthy atmosphere for nursing growth and development," Tonja shared. "One thing that remains true is that nurses are the heartbeat of healthcare."
Under Tonja's leadership, Methodist Hospital Atascosa will continue to provide exceptional care to the community while growing to meet the needs of the patients and families in Atascosa County.
*Formerly called Methodist Hospital South