TCU Nursing alumna Christi Thornhill won the Tarrant County award in the American Heart Association’s 2022 Woman of Impact competition. Thornhill received both her bachelor of science in nursing degree and her doctorate of nursing practice from TCU.
“I am very invested in the health of my community both as my role as a nurse practitioner and as a volunteer,” she said. “When I was at TCU as an undergraduate nursing student, I had my first experience volunteering with Rape Crisis through an elective sociology course I took. During my undergraduate studies, we were encouraged to participate in volunteer opportunities as well as professional organizations. Throughout my career I have chosen volunteer activities and organizations that align with the patient populations that I am passionate about including children and abuse victims.”
Thornhill is director of Cook Children’s Medical center’s trauma program. She also is involved in community outreach, serving as the president of the board of The W.A.R.M. Place, a children’s grief counseling center and a volunteer at El Tesoro de la Vida grief camp.
“My undergraduate nursing degree at TCU prepared me to be an RN that understood that learning doesn’t stop at the end of your four years of formal education,” she said. “I was mentored and taught by many professors who were such good examples of professionalism, seeking out your passions and exposing me to all the opportunities that nursing has to offer.”
Thornhill was one of eight Tarrant County women nominated for the award, and together the group brought in more than $61,000. Her efforts led the American Heart Association competition amongst the Tarrant County Woman of Impact team. Women were nominated for their eagerness to empower women to lower their cardiovascular risk.