Tessie Bowmaker is a Nurse Manager who works with Cox Health as their Nurse Manager for Cardiovascular and NeuroTrauma ICU. She believes promoting and growing the nursing profession is the greatest gift nurses can give to our patients and community. Tessie has served on numerous boards and committees to ensure the voice of nursing is represented. A few include Executive Board Member for the Missouri Center for Nursing, Missouri Representative for the Nurses on Boards Coalition and the Women's Leadership Advisory Board. She has received the American National Nurse of the Year Award, the Missouri Organization of Nurse Leaders Excellence in Leadership Award and the Springfield Business Journal Healthcare Champion award. Tessie received her Masters Degree in Nursing from Duquesne University, a Post-Masters Certification in Forensics from the Wetch Institute of Forensic Science and Law and a Post-Masters Certification in Health Administration from Missouri State University. Tessie is a 23 year veteran of the US Army.