Like father, like daughter

Stephen Withers, BSN, (Nursing ’06) and Hannah Withers, BSN, (Nursing ’24) have a unique connection with TTUHSC. For Hannah, graduating in 2024 helped launch her career as a registered nurse at St. David’s South Austin Medical Center in Austin, Texas. Twenty years prior, Stephen pursued a degree in the same program.

“Back in 2005, I had an ADN and wanted to bridge over to a BSN, so I applied (to TTUHSC) and was accepted into the program, which took me about a year to complete,” Stephen recounts.

Stephen’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) allowed him to build upon his prior work while gaining the knowledge, skills and degree needed to pursue his future goals. Following graduation, Stephen worked as a trauma nurse in Fort Worth, Texas, before combining health care with other pursuits.

“Nursing was my second career path, initially starting in business. Eventually, I was able to join the two,” he says. Stephen has served in various health care clinical support and service roles since 2006 and currently serves as the director of clinical and support services for B. Braun Medical, an IV therapy and medical device manufacturing company.

Hannah knew a nursing degree would also open doors for her. “I knew that I might love it and want to do it for the rest of my life, or, if not, I knew I could still use that same degree and go do something else that I love,” she says.

The pair acknowledges that their story has deepened their relationship. “I think we’ve bonded so much more over this. There are definitely a few debates every once in a while, but we’ve gotten so much closer. I think it’s awesome because I never thought that one day in my professional career, I’d still be talking to my dad about things in common and having work-related conversations,” Hannah says.

Stephen agrees. “I never pressured her, but I think she really chose an amazing career path. I just couldn’t be any happier for Hannah and so proud of her,” he concluded.