With more than 30 years of nursing experience in tertiary and frontier hospitals, ambulatory and nursing home settings, Dr. Thiesse oversees nursing practice and the provision of nursing services in more than 25 rural medical centers and dozens of clinics. An advocate for equitably meeting the needs of rural communities, she is committed to upholding high standards for safe nursing practices, as well as skill and professional development opportunities tailored to rural frontline nurses. Understanding the unique needs and challenges associated with recruiting qualified nurses to smaller communities, Dr. Thiesse works closely with higher education institutions in the area to create opportunities for investigative learning and internships for nursing students. During her tenure as CNO, the health system’s shared governance body, called the Nursing Senate, has seen immense growth, improved communication and better outcomes.
