Medical City Plano
July 16, 2020

Sandy Haire leaves a legacy

Plano,TXMedical City Plano announced the retirement of Sandy Haire, DNP, MHA RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, after 44 years of dedication to the nursing profession and 28 years as Medical City Plano’s chief nursing officer. Haire has enjoyed an exemplary and productive career, which includes leading nurses and clinical staff through our current COVID-19 pandemic.

“The legacy of leadership Sandy has bestowed on this hospital could fill a book,” says Medical City Plano CEO Carlton Ulmer. “Words cannot express the tremendous debt of gratitude we owe to Sandy for her countless contributions to Medical City Plano and to those who have benefitted from her guidance and dedication to nursing. Her strong leadership leaves us in an excellent position for continued success. “

Haire started her career at Medical City Plano with the opening of the cardiovascular intensive care unit in 1987, serving as its first head nurse. In 1990, she was promoted to director of critical care and climbed to administrative ladder in 1992 to become chief nursing officer.

Among the many milestones in Medical City Plano’s history in which Haire has contributed, she is most proud of the collaboration of the entire healthcare team in earning Collin County’s first Magnet designation for nursing excellence in 2007 and its renewal in 2012 and 2017.

Among Haire’s many contribution and achievements at Medical City Plano:

  • Development of new services, including: a joint venture day surgery center, inpatient rehabilitation unit, interventional care unit, congestive heart failure clinic, Level I Trauma services, comprehensive stroke care and burn services
  • Design and expansion of hospital services totaling over $237 million in construction and renovation projects during her tenure, ranging from the expansion of the ER in 1992 to the recent construction of the Medical City Plano Sarah Cannon Cancer Hospital that opened in 2019
  • Mentoring, guiding and supporting other chief nursing officers and helping drive nursing research for Medical City Healthcare

Haire’s career is also highlighted with numerous awards including the DFW Great 100 Nurses award, the Texas Organization of Nurse Executives Excellence in Leadership Award and the Plano Chamber of Commerce Executive of the Year Award.

She has served on community boards with Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center, Collin County Community College, PISD Health Science Academy and the Plano Chamber of Commerce–demonstrating that the care and improvement of human life extends beyond the walls of the hospital.

With her September 1 retirement, Haire looks forward to serving as part-time faculty for the Executive Doctorate of Nursing Practice program at Baylor University and spending more time with her husband, children and grandchildren.

About Medical City Plano

Medical City Plano is the largest hospital in Collin County. It is full-service, 603 bed, acute-care facility with more than 2,000 employees and 1,400 physicians representing more than 70 specialties and subspecialties. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Medical City Plano is Collin County’s only Level I Trauma Center with a Burn and Reconstructive Center, a Comprehensive (Level I) Stroke Center, a Level III NICU and Collin County’s first Chest Pain Accredited hospital. Magnet designated for nursing excellence, Medical City Plano is part of Medical City Healthcare.

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