Alumni Profiles: Theresa Morgan

In honor of MUSC’s Bicentennial, MUSC College of Nursing is spotlighting alumni who are magnifying our legacy with their professionalism, passion and purpose.

Working as a certified registered nurse anesthetist at MUSC Main Hospital for more than 20 years in a row with additional stints in the MICU, Neonatal ICU, and GI floor, alumna Theresa Morgan, CRNA, MHS has dedicated her professional career to MUSC’s mission.

"My co-workers and my patients are what I know make my days at MUSC special. Walking into the hospital, I see friends who are my second family, my home away from home." —Theresa Morgan ’99

What inspired you to pursue nursing?

In considering a career for my life at the age of 19, I was inspired by my best friend of my childhood, Bethany Holly Robinson. She had received her nursing degree, and I had not been able to attend college due to financial issues as well as a lack of guidance and resources in my small town of Duke Center, Pa.

What led you to MUSC?

In 1994, I came to MUSC. It was love at first sight when I was a nursing student in 1993 rotating through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NNICU). I wanted to embark on my dream of working in the NNICU, but it was not hiring new graduates. In 1994, a friend who was working at MUSC said to me, “You should come to work in a ‘real’ hospital!” This was when I revisited the NNICU with a year’s experience, was hired first for 10W which was the GI floor at the time, and I commenced my career at MUSC!

In what ways has your MUSC College of Nursing experience impacted your career and who you are today?

The MUSC College of Nursing experience catapulted me into a career in anesthesia. My love for the babies in the NNICU coupled with my fascination for how anesthesia impacted the little ones, as well as seeing anesthesia professionals and their high level of knowledge, caused me to do a project during my ADN to BSN education. I ultimately presented my research to both the anesthesia department and the NNICU team at MUSC with a presentation to share what each unit contributes in the journey of a sweet baby at MUSC.

What do you enjoy most about your work as a CRNA?

I absolutely love having the opportunity to help patients alleviate anxiety when I prep them for going to the operating room. I have the honor to let patients and their family members know what to expect as well as to watch over them while administering the best anesthetic tailored specifically for each patient based on their medical history and many other factors that ensure I am giving them excellent care.

Thank you for your many years of service to MUSC! For you, what is special about working here?

My co-workers and my patients are what I know make my days at MUSC special. Walking into the hospital, I see friends who are my second family, my home away from home. Each day, I get to meet new patients and their family members. The encounters with the patients and their families are highlights of my day! Combining the incredible staff of nurses, doctors, environmental staff, technicians and administration and leaders who help to make the processes for these patients as safe and smooth as possible absolutely amazes me each and every day! MUSC is truly my dream, and my home away from home.

What is the most valuable piece of advice you have ever received?

When returning to work after maternity leave, I was sad to leave our daughter three days a week. Dr. Hebbar, a fellow colleague, said to me, “Remember that what you do for a living will influence your daughter, and she will be proud of you.” This helps me to keep the impact of what I do in perspective as I balance my passion as a CRNA and my family.

Fun fact about you:

I volunteer at our church, East Cooper Baptist Church, on the Medical Outreach team, and I play the piano in my free time.