We are excited and proud to welcome Angela Totora, MBA/HA, RN, to the Advantage Medical Professionals family as our new Director of Nursing. Angela brings more than thirty years of nursing experience, and is a nurse leader with a versatile skill set including experience in Med-Surg, ICU, ED, Telemetry and PACU.
Most recently, Angela joins us from Slidell Memorial Hospital in Slidell, LA, as the Lead Administrative Supervisor and Manager of Patient Care Services. In her role she oversaw daily clinical activities, such as staffing, patient throughput and patient experience. Additionally, her administrative duties included chairing several interdisciplinary workgroups, fostering relationships with nurses, and acting as a liaison between bedside nurses and management. She honed her skills and successfully built that trust. Her recent experience prepared her for her new role at Advantage by building teams and mentoring directors. “I did my job, and they no longer need me. My house supervisors are extremely capable,” says Angela about transitioning to Advantage.
As well as her numerous clinical certifications, Angela has also earned the Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification. Angela says that is one her most useful certifications she’s has acquired. Lean Six Sigma is all about process mapping, and provides a way of looking at things from the patient, staff member and clients’ point of view. Advantage welcomes her new point of view, which may help us to think differently and find ways to improve our processes.
In her previous roles Angela conducted American Heart Association certification courses for nurses and physicians. Angela plans to teach continuing education and certifications classes at Advantage. Her expertise and training will help further nurse education and skills needed to provide the highest quality patient care.
Angela’s extensive leadership experience will help Advantage continue to grow and support the nurses that our part of our Advantage family. She will also work with our clients to ensure that we understand their needs and make the best possible matches with qualified clinicians. When asked what excites Angela about becoming the Director of Nursing at Advantage she said, “this job is made for me, it is what I want to do and what I’m good at. I’ve done my time and saved lives. I’ve been migrating to a more supervisor position. I’m excited to get started with Advantage and am confident we’ll grow to be a good team!”
When she’s not working Angela can be found at a local festival with her family. She and her family love festivals, and go to almost every one. Angela fully embraces New Orleans culture, and won’t ever live anywhere else because she’d miss the food too much.
One of Angela’s goals in her new role is to proactively build relationships with our nurses. She understands where our nurses are coming from, and wants to help empower them. Angela plans to get out see our nurses at the start of their new contract, and meet them face to face. She stresses that she is accessible and that our nurses can call or text her anytime (contact info is below). “I’ve been in the nurse’s shoes. I want our nurses to know I’m their advocate, I’m accessible and not just here to handle problems,” emphases Angela.
Please join me in welcoming Angela to Advantage.
Sincerely,
Joe Spitale
President & CEO