Her Story
About Tiffany
Tiffany Bittner MSN, RN, CPHQ, NE-BC, PMH-BC, is an accomplished behavioral health leader and registered nurse with extensive experience in emergency trauma care, psychiatric services, healthcare quality, and clinical transformation. She currently serves as Director of Clinical Transformation and Innovation, Zero Suicide/Suicide Care Initiatives at The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD, where she leads system-wide strategies to improve suicide prevention, behavioral health services, and evidence-based clinical care. Her work focuses on developing standardized care pathways that improve outcomes for underserved populations while fostering innovation across healthcare systems. Throughout her career, Tiffany has held progressive leadership roles at Harris Health System, Houston Methodist, Texas Children's Hospital, and The Harris Center. Beginning as a Level I trauma emergency nurse, she expanded her expertise into patient safety, quality improvement, pediatric behavioral health, nursing leadership, and healthcare innovation. She has partnered extensively with the Harris County Sheriff's Office and other community organizations to implement comprehensive suicide prevention initiatives, provide mental health education, and strengthen collaboration between healthcare and public safety agencies. Her commitment to improving behavioral healthcare has made her a respected voice in suicide prevention, trauma-informed care, and crisis response. Tiffany earned a Master of Science in Nursing in Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Louisiana Christian University. She maintains board certifications as a Nurse Executive (NE-BC) and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse (PMH-BC) and is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ). Active in professional organizations including the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, American Nurses Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the American Association of Suicidology, Tiffany is dedicated to advancing mental healthcare through leadership, education, innovation, and compassionate service.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Tiffany
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to continually challenging myself to achieve more than I thought possible while remaining committed to work that genuinely aligns with my passion. I intentionally surround myself with knowledgeable, experienced professionals who inspire me to grow, and I embrace every opportunity to learn. Maintaining curiosity, seeking guidance, and remaining open to new perspectives have been essential to both my personal and professional development.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to listen with the intent to understand rather than simply respond. I have learned to accept that I will never know everything, and that continuous learning is a hallmark of effective leadership. Building trust, earning respect, and valuing the experience of those who came before me have allowed me to lead meaningful change while strengthening relationships with my colleagues and teams.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice is to recognize that relationships are one of your greatest professional assets. Invest time in building trust, remain authentic, and never believe that any task is beneath you. Be willing to work alongside your team, gain firsthand experience, and lead by example. Stay true to who you are while adapting to different environments, and use your unique strengths to make a meaningful impact on those you serve.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest opportunities in behavioral healthcare is expanding awareness and implementing evidence-based suicide prevention practices that can save lives. At the same time, our field continues to face challenges related to mental health stigma, limited resources, and ensuring access to high-quality care for vulnerable populations. I believe collaboration across healthcare systems, law enforcement, and community organizations creates tremendous opportunities to improve outcomes and strengthen support for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me most are integrity, transparency, humility, respect, and always treating people as people first. I believe authentic leadership begins with compassion and honesty, and that every individual deserves dignity regardless of their circumstances. By leading with empathy, remaining humble, and building trust through genuine relationships, I strive to create environments where both patients and colleagues feel valued, supported, and empowered.
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