Teresa Pace, RN, became a nurse late in life, at an age when some are beginning to slow down. The wife and mother of three lost her husband, a minister, when he was 40 years old. Suddenly the sole caretaker of her kids, she faced a decision about her future.
“I remember my youngest looking at me and saying, ‘Mommy. You’re not a preacher’s wife anymore. What are you gonna do for God?’” she said. “And I said, ‘Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something [out].’”
Pace knew she needed a career that helped people while keeping her engaged and on her feet.
“I’m very high energy,” she said. “I have to be around people. I wouldn’t want to [spend my time] at home. So, it just led me right to nursing. And so, I went to nursing school.”
She passed the NCLEX and received her nursing license on her 50th birthday. Since then, she has worked at UT Health East Texas North Campus Tyler. She’s been assigned to many areas of the hospital, including the medical-surgical floor, the intensive care unit and cardiovascular surgery. Her latest job has been house supervisor on the overnight shift.
Now 73 years old, Pace serves as a steady presence during the hospital’s quietest hours. She checks in with nurses across departments, troubleshooting problems and offering reassurance when workloads feel heavy.
“I want them to know that they have me there, and they’ll never bother me,” she said. “Just call me, come to me, whatever you need. We’ll take care of it together.”
That reliability is what earned her the nickname “Mama Teresa,” a title she wears with pride.
Pace retires in August 2026 after 23 years at UT Health. Though her full-time shift is ending, her commitment to service is steady. She plans to continue showing up for others, whether that’s by filling in at the hospital or volunteering at a local clinic.
“I’m gonna stay very, very busy because I know I’m going to miss it,” she said. “It’s just been a ministry for me. It’s a home away from home.”
Throughout her nursing career, Pace’s main goal has been to encourage others. Whether she’s interacting with patients receiving treatment or new nurses experiencing hospital work for the first time, Pace prioritizes the human connections she has with others to empower and inspire them to work cohesively.
“I go to each floor and talk to the staff and hug them each night,” she said. “And I tell them there’s not a thing that we can’t do together with God’s help tonight.”
For her coworkers and patients alike, Teresa Pace leaves behind a legacy rooted in compassion, collaboration and faith; one that will continue long after her official retirement.
“If I can’t do it, and they can’t do it, we’ll do it together or we’ll find somebody [who] can.”