30 Apr 2024 501Der Women 2024: Teneal Hill

Teneal Hill fell in love with psychology in high school. She followed this passion to college and now works with adults living with serious mental illness.

“Early in my career, it was clear to me that this is an underserved and vulnerable population, especially when it comes to their physical health needs,” she said. “I decided to pursue a career in nursing and returned as the director of nursing at Birch Tree Communities, working to improve the disparity where adults with serious mental illness die 15-20 years earlier than the general population. I want to help this population that I care about so much.”

Hill said healthcare is hard for everyone to navigate, but when dealing with a serious mental illness and multiple physical health problems, doing so can seem almost impossible. “In my role, I treat mental health conditions but also help assess physical health problems and ensure holistic care is provided. I am fortunate to work alongside like-minded nurses, therapists, administrators and staff at Birch Tree Communities. I love being a part of an organization that truly values people and puts them first in everything they do.”

“Teneal is a truly caring and phenomenal medical professional,” said Dr. Brad Holloway, CEO of Birch Tree Communities. “Her commitment to our members is unwavering, and she consistently works to improve the service that our organization provides.”

Some of the most significant accomplishments Hill has achieved in her career were starting at Birch Tree Communities as an entry-level paraprofessional and working her way up to Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing. She has since earned her master’s degree, becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. She understands how difficult it can be to pursue what one wants in life, but she urges people to do so.

“Don’t be afraid to go after what you want,” she said. “If you aren’t happy, figure out what you need to do to make a change. I have returned to school for additional degrees more than once, and I know it can be hard. Decide what life you want and put in the work to get it. Growth is uncomfortable. Get used to that feeling and embrace it. I think we are conditioned to avoid discomfort, but that’s where the good stuff happens.”

Contact Teneal today at birchtree.org or 501.315.3344.