The Heartbeat of Humility Lynda Sanchez
When Lynda Sanchez first arrived in Texas, fresh from the cool climate of Edmonton,
Alberta, she stepped into a world unlike anything she’d ever known. Enveloped by the
blazing sun and the rugged charm of West Texas, she wasn’t sure what to expect. Little
did she know; the land was filled with more than warmth in temperature—it brimmed
with kindness, chivalry, and an unparalleled sense of community.
Lynda’s arrival at the Midland airport 32 years ago could have been unremarkable, just
another stop on her nursing career path. But as she waited for her ride, an unfamiliar
mixture of anxiety and heat swirling around her, a true Texas moment unfolded. A man,
a cowboy no less, wearing a Stetson hat and perfectly starched Wranglers, strode up to
her. His presence felt solid, timeless, like something scripted right out of a Western
movie.
“Ma’am, is someone coming to pick you up?” he asked, his voice steady and laced with
the lilting cadence of the West. His son, waiting by the family car at the curb, soon
joined him. Lynda assured the man she was only waiting for her shuttle, but still, the
cowboy persisted, offering to stay until her ride arrived.
And so, they waited, the man and his son occupying a bench nearby, a quiet yet
powerful gesture of chivalry. For Lynda, who had only recently arrived in a foreign land,
this first encounter with West Texas hospitality was as bewildering as it was
heartwarming. This act of kindness, so pure and genuine, touched her deeply. From
that moment, she felt the pull of Midland, its people, and their unwavering spirit. West
Texas, it seemed, was waiting for her.
That initial dose of cowboy kindness set the tone for everything that followed. Landing a
job at Midland Memorial Hospital after sending resumes far and wide, Lynda began her
career with a heart full of determination and a mind eager to teach. Over three decades,
she grew from a nursing novice to the backbone of the hospital’s pioneering simulation
program, never forgetting the humanity that first welcomed her to this tight-knit
community
Lynda didn’t build her career alone.
Her story is not one of solo achievements or a
singular vision. Instead, her life is a beautiful tapestry, woven together by the hands of
others and guided, as she humbly acknowledges, by faith. “The only reason I am where
I am is because of the people God has placed in my life at the right time, at the right
place,” Lynda reflects. Her voice carries the cadence of someone who sees herself not
as the driver of change, but as its vessel.
A Calling Discovered
For Lynda, nursing is not just a profession; it’s a calling. It was in the quiet moments at
patients’ bedsides and in the charged energy of bustling hospital floors that her passion
for teaching began to take root. From her early days as a preceptor on the floor to
becoming the architect of innovative simulation programs, Lynda’s path has always
been about one thing: empowering others.
She recalls how the seed of her love for teaching was sown by her own mentors. Her
first preceptor, Blythe, instilled wisdom through her steady guidance, and Larry, another
early mentor, reinforced the importance of passing along knowledge. "The knowledge
they poured into me has been part of my foundation," Lynda says. "That’s what I aspire
to do for others—to give them tools, to nurture their growth."
And grow they have. Lynda has guided countless students, residents, and peers into
becoming better nurses.
Her teaching style adapts to the needs of each learner, moving
nimbly between didactic instruction, hands-on practice, and moments of profound
reflection. But more than her adaptable approach, it’s Lynda’s authenticity that
resonates. “I love it when I see someone finally make that connection,” she says. “That
moment when they stop memorizing and start thinking critically. That’s when I know I’ve
made an impact.”
Building Something Bigger
When Lynda was given the opportunity to create a simulation (SIM) program from the
ground up, she admitted she didn’t have all the answers. But that didn’t stop her.
Alongside Aline Fuselier, her partner in innovation and creativity, Lynda transformed a vision
into reality. “We weren’t just building a program, we were building a culture,” Lynda
recalls. "A shared space where learning was dynamic, collaborative, and unforgettable."
The SIM program grew beyond expectations, evolving into an accredited operation that
trains healthcare professionals with cutting-edge technology and scenarios that mirror
real-life complexities.
This wasn’t just about mannequins or medical procedures; this
was about teaching critical thinking, about helping nurses see the patient beyond the
diagnosis.
Her team started as two. Then it became three. And now, as the program continues to
blossom, Lynda looks at her colleagues not just as coworkers, but as family. “We are a
team in the truest sense of the word,” she says with a glowing smile. “We lift each other
up, challenge each other, and together, we’ve created something I never imagined
would be possible.”
For Lynda, her career and life have always been anchored in her faith. “God has placed
people in my life exactly when I needed them,” she reflects. “His plan is always greater
than mine, and it’s by His guidance that all of this has been possible.” To Lynda, every
accomplishment, every program built, every student taught, traces back to a quiet trust
in God’s plan.
Her faith isn’t just personal; it’s evident in how she leads and teaches.
She approaches her work with a sense of purpose that extends beyond the walls of the classroom or the
hospital. “I want to make a lasting difference, but I know I can’t do it alone,” she says
quietly. “It’s not about me. It has never been about me. It’s about the lives we touch and
the impact we leave.”
A Legacy of Love and Leadership
Despite her towering list of accomplishments—including a doctorate, multiple awards,
and national recognition for her innovations in simulation education—Lynda remains
steadfast in her humility. “People call me a leader,” she says almost shyly. “But I don’t
see it that way. I’m just someone who’s been blessed with incredible people around me,
who’ve helped me grow into the person I am today.”
Her humility is more than a personal trait; it sets the tone for everyone around her.
Lynda embodies servant leadership, shining a light on the contributions of her team, her
mentors, and her family. When asked what keeps her rooted, she simply states, “It’s not
me. It’s them. And it’s Him.”
Indeed, Lynda Sanchez’s career is a stunning mosaic of effort, collaboration, and divine
alignment.
For 32 years, she’s been a quiet force of nature, changing lives not through
grandeur but through grace, not through accolades but through action.
Her impact at Midland Health is immeasurable. And yet, if you asked her, she’d tell you
this isn’t her story. It’s a story of her team. It’s a story of her students. It’s a story of her
faith.
Still, as the sun sets over Midland, Texas, one thing is clear. Thanks to Lynda, the
future of nursing at her hospital is brighter than it has ever been. Her story, stitched with
humility and hope, will inspire generations to come. And through her work, her faith, and
her love for teaching, Lynda Sanchez has become the heartbeat of something far
greater than herself.