Q&A with Gloria Delgado, TCHMB's New Obstetrics Committee Co-Chair

In June of 2021, TCHMB Executive Committee was joined by two new Co-chairs of the Obstetrics Committee, Gloria Delgado and Dr. James Hill. We spoke to Gloria Delgado to learn more about her experiences as TCHMB Co-chair so far and her visions for the future of TCHMB.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I was born and raised in Mexico where I developed an early interest in STEM subjects. These interests brought me to college in the United States where I initially planned on studying engineering, however, my passions led me to nursing school. Since then, I have gained 25 years of experience as an obstetrics nurse at The Hospitals of Providence and now the University Medical Center of El Paso.

How do you feel about joining the TCHMB executive committee?

It is challenging but exciting. Working on a program like [the Recognition and Response to Postpartum Preeclampsia in the Emergency Department project] on a state level is something that is new to me. Working with physicians on a first name basis takes a little bit to get used to but everyone at TCHMB has been so kind and helped me greatly. I’m especially excited to join the committee because the work we are doing directly impacts the entire state of Texas.

What do you hope to accomplish?

During my time here, I wish to both learn and help patients deal with the issues I see personally. One problem I see at the hospitals I work at is hypertension in the obstetrics unit. I hope to make it so that people dealing with hypertension can get medication and treatment quickly.

What made you interested in the quality improvement aspect of healthcare?

Quality improvement is something that is considered rather new in the obstetrics department. Compared to other aspects of medicine where quality improvement initiatives were implemented for the past 20 years, in obstetrics we just started 3-4 years ago. We are extremely new to the system so I wanted to learn as much as I can about quality improvement so that we can implement it into obstetrics units across the state.

What appealed to you about the TCHMB executive committee that made you want to join?

Ever since I was in nursing school more than 20 years ago, I’ve always heard that El Paso was behind compared to other cities in Texas for healthcare. Since then, I’ve asked myself why El Paso is behind when the city is just as capable and competitive as any other city. When I heard about the initiatives for TCHMB and its goal to improve healthcare for the entire state of Texas, I was extremely interested.

Have you got to do anything interesting during your time so far as chair?

Meeting all the people involved in TCHMB has been such a rewarding experience for me. During my career, I’ve usually been exposed to a power dynamic between the physicians and nurses where we’re not seen as equals. My time at TCHMB has allowed me to talk amongst physicians without fear of being undermined or not taken seriously. These moments have made me realize how fortunate I am to be a part of this collaborative.

What is the proudest accomplishment of your career?

As the Administrator of Women’s Services at the hospital I work at, I was extremely proud to see that our hospital was awarded the “no findings” level designation for the second time. Our whole team worked remarkably to earn this designation, and to be in a position of leadership during all this was certainly a highlight of my career.

Things you are most excited about with your time on the TCHMB executive committee?

I’m most excited to learn from everyone. I want to learn more about quality improvement and how I can implement it into my own hospital. Since I’m now a part of TCHMB, I can now also help neighboring hospitals that are facing similar issues. This opportunity to help on a broader scale is what excites me most.