Michelle Tinkham, PhD, MSN, RN, CNOR, CPHRM
Dr. Michelle Tinkham is a seasoned healthcare professional with 25 years of experience in the field, currently serving as Manager of Risk Management at Hendrick Health for the past four and a half years. In this role, she oversees clinical and enterprise risk management across a three-hospital system and serves as the system administrator for the hospitals’ event and incident reporting program. Her work is focused on reducing organizational and clinical risk while fostering a culture of patient and staff safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. Michelle combines extensive clinical expertise with strategic leadership, earning recognition and awards from the Association of Perioperative Nurses (AORN), Society of Vascular Nursing (SVN) and attaining certification as a Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM). She holds a PhD in Animal Behavior, a Master of Science in Nursing Education and Healthcare Administration, and is a licensed Registered Nurse. Her professional credentials also include Certified Nurse Consultant, Certified Risk Management Professional, and Certified Operating Room Nurse (CNOR). A dedicated member of AORN and ASHRM, she bridges the clinical, administrative, and educational aspects of healthcare to advance patient outcomes and organizational efficiency. She is also served her country as a perioperative nurse in the Army Nurse Corps. Beyond her healthcare leadership, Michelle is an ordained animal chaplain for a nonprofit organization, reflecting her dedication to compassionate care in all forms. She attributes much of her professional growth and success to mentors such as Trish Seifert, Terri Goodman, Cathy Badgley Sharn Devun and Joy Don Baker, who inspired her commitment to service, clinical excellence, and leadership. Her career is defined by a deep passion for her work, an unwavering attitude of service, and core values of compassion, honesty, and caring, which guide her every endeavor.
• Certified Professional in Healthcare Risk Management (CPHRM)
• Pet Loss Bereavement Specialist
• Death Doula
• Certified compassion fatigue professional
• Certified Perioperative Nurse
• Certified Legal Nurse Consultant
• Public Health Nurse
• Registered Nurse First Assistant
• California State University, Bakersfield - BSN
• Ashwood University - MSHA
• The University of Texas at Arlington - MSN
• Kingdom College of Natural Health - PhD
• Clarice Woodward Excellence in Writing
• California State Legislature 2011 Notable Nurse Award
• National Association of Professional Women inductee
• Clinical Excellence in Vascular Nursing
• AORN Outstanding Achievement in Volunteerism
• National Woman of Worth nominee
• AORN
• ASHRM
• CAPC
• STTI
• THLN
• SVN
• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement, Inc.
• Abilene Zoological Gardens
• Not One More Vet
• Texas State Parks
• Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch
• Red Cross of Texas
• Abilene Animal Services Shelter
• Animal Samaritans
• NIKELA: Helping People ~ Saving Wildlife
• Surgical Nurse
SEE International (Surgical Eye Expeditions International)
• Team Rubicon
• Texas Humane Legislation Network
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my genuine passion for what I do and my commitment to a service-oriented mindset. Loving my work motivates me to go above and beyond in every endeavor, while maintaining an attitude of service ensures that I prioritize the needs of others and deliver meaningful results. This combination of enthusiasm and dedication has been the driving force behind my professional achievements and personal growth.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to love what you do. When you are genuinely passionate about your work, it fuels motivation, resilience, and a commitment to excellence, making challenges easier to navigate and successes even more rewarding.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Keep work–life balance. Healthcare work exposes you to difficult situations; remember you make a difference, but step away when needed to protect your mental health and family life.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is ensuring that patients receive the support they truly need. Meeting this demand requires not only technical expertise but also empathy, effective communication, and a commitment to personalized care, creating opportunities to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives while advancing the quality and impact of the work we do.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most in both my work and personal life are compassion, honesty, and caring. I strive to approach every interaction with empathy and understanding, to act with integrity in all situations, and to genuinely support and uplift those around me. These principles not only shape my relationships but also drive the meaningful impact I aim to make through my work.