Monday, February 3, 2025
Hollin Macklin’s nursing journey began earlier than most. When Take Your Child to
Work Day came around, she would accompany her mother to the hospital where she worked
as a nurse, leaving her with a lasting impression.
“Watching her provide care and compassion to her patients while balancing the demands of being a single mother was incredibly inspiring,” Macklin said. “She demonstrated resilience, dedication and the ability to make a difference in people’s lives. It planted a seed for my passion for nursing.”
Originally from Ohio, Macklin would go on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Chamberlain University in 2014 and is a registered nurse who joined The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth in January 2024 as clinic nurse manager.
When speaking of what inspired her to pursue her career in nursing, she attributed the motivation came from both her love for caring about people and to provide a steady career for her family.
“I started my family kind of early in life,” Macklin said. “I knew that I wanted to be able to be dependent and self-sufficient, with a great career.”
“I wanted to provide my child with the life she deserved while showing her the value of hard work and pursuing a career that is both fulfilling and meaningful,” Macklin said. “My mother’s example and my personal journey have deeply shaped my commitment to this profession.”
New beginnings in Texas
After school, she briefly worked at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio, in the orthopedic med surge unit. However, she would pivot to home health and would transition to Maxim Healthcare Services in Houston.
Quickly adapting to Houston’s humid weather and southern hospitality, Macklin treated Maxim’s predominate patient population: pediatric G-tube / vent patients. The experience motivated her to expand her career into multiple leadership roles, including that of a clinic nurse manager where she supervised clinical supervisors who supervised all the nurses in patient homes. A substantial part of her job was building processes and programs, identifying quality metrics and assisting in a required state audit.
Macklin’s primary focus was on ensuring regulatory compliance and quality care delivery, as well collaborating with leadership to align clinical operations with business objectives and payer requirements.
“I also traveled a lot to other offices to provide training and support, assisting with various clinical challenges they encountered,” Macklin said. “However, over time, I felt ready for a new challenge and a change in direction. That’s when I discovered HSC.”
New surroundings at UNTHSC
At HSC she oversees the clinical aspect of five separate clinics where her passion for nursing continues. Macklin manages staff across the Center for Older Adults, as well as specialty clinics such as gastroenterology, cardiology, dermatology and osteopathic manipulative medicine.
The environment at HSC Health does present some unique challenges unlike what she experienced at Maxim. However, the role offers a chance to contribute directly to process optimization and strategic resource allocation, aligning with her strengths in evidence-based clinical management.
“I have a passion for problem solving,” Macklin said. “I enjoy tackling complex challenges and finding innovative, efficient solutions that others may not have considered. It’s incredibly rewarding to see those solutions make a meaningful impact.”
Her curiosity also continues to grow and has motivated her to continue her education.
“I’m particularly interested in various aspects of nursing, including research,” Macklin said. “I had considered pursuing my master’s degree multiple times, but it wasn’t until I stepped into my current role that I recognized the perfect opportunity to do so.”
In addition to her role with HSC Health, she is now enrolled in the College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing Innovation program and is looking toward also enrolling in the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner program.
The reason for selecting the new program is personal for Macklin.
“I’ve had recent experiences with family that have profoundly deepened my understanding and passion for this area of health care,” Macklin said. “These experiences have highlighted the critical need for compassionate, skilled mental health practitioners and solidified my commitment to making a meaningful impact in this field.”
“By pursuing the PMHNP program, I aim to contribute to improving mental health care access and outcomes, drawing from both my professional expertise and personal connection to this vital aspect of health care,” Macklin said.
Her motivation for continuing to learn comes from her love of learning, but also motivation for her family. Macklin’s family consists of her 16-year-old daughter Desiree, her husband Mike and two 100-pound Cane Corsos named Balou and Cane who have all adapted well to life in Texas.
While her daughter has not fully committed to a field for her upcoming collegiate studies, Desiree does lean toward health care, nursing included.
“Nursing offered me the opportunity to be self-reliant, make a positive impact and instill in my child the importance of following one’s passion and purpose,” Macklin said. “What better way to motivate my daughter in her journey than to be a role model to her. She’s been watching.”
From HSC Newsroom - Our People by Cindy Vasquez