Department: Employer Advisory Board
Thomas "Andy" Yates
My name is Thomas “Andy” Yates, and I was born in Nacogdoches, Texas. I attended Texas A&M University, where I graduated in May 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. My passion for healthcare and helping others has guided my entire professional journey, shaping a rewarding career dedicated to patient care, education, and the development of future nurses.
I have proudly served with CHRISTUS Health/Trinity Mother Frances for 28 years, holding a variety of roles that have allowed me to grow both personally and professionally. Early in my career, I worked in patient care and later served as a Lead in Cardiac Rehabilitation, where I had the privilege of helping patients recover and regain their strength following cardiac events. Over the past four years, I transitioned into Talent Acquisition, recruiting Emergency Care Center (ECC) and Operating Room (OR) nurses. For the last three years, I have served as a Senior Recruiter, focusing on the hiring and mentorship of graduate nurses and externs.
In addition to my work in healthcare, I spent two years at Bullard High School as a Health Science Instructor, teaching Principles of Health Science, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), and EKG certification courses. This experience deepened my passion for education and mentorship, as I had the opportunity to help students prepare for meaningful careers in healthcare.
Throughout my career, I have maintained a strong commitment to excellent customer service, always striving to connect compassionate and motivated nurses with opportunities where they can thrive. I take great pride in recruiting individuals who are dedicated to serving others and who embody the values of dignity, integrity, excellence, stewardship, and compassion. My ultimate goal is to continue making a positive impact by supporting both new graduates and seasoned professionals as they pursue their calling in nursing.
On a personal note, I have been happily married for 26 years to my wonderful wife, who currently serves as the Payroll and Benefits Coordinator at Bullard ISD. Together, we have been blessed with three amazing daughters and two grandsons. Our oldest daughter graduated from The University of Texas at Tyler in 2022 with her BSN and now works as a Labor and Delivery nurse. Our middle daughter will graduate from UT Tyler in December 2025 with a degree in Early Childhood Education and aspires to become an elementary school teacher. Our youngest daughter will begin her college journey at Tyler Junior College in the spring and is currently working part time at CHRISTUS Health.
Family, faith, and service are at the heart of everything I do. Whether supporting patients, mentoring students, or helping nurses find their professional path, I am driven by the belief that compassion and dedication can transform lives. Looking ahead, I hope to continue contributing to the healthcare community by nurturing the next generation of nurses who will carry forward the same passion and purpose that have guided my own career.