It is with great joy that we celebrate the UT Physicians nurses selected by the Houston Chronicle for its Salute to Nurses. The annual recognition spotlights nurses who demonstrate outstanding dedication and steadfast service to patients across the spectrum of health care.
Meet our 2025 honorees.
Robin L. Beach, nurse practitioner
Location: UT Physicians Multispecialty – Bellaire Station and UT Physicians Obstetrics and Gynecology Continuity Clinic
Robin L. Beach, PhD, FNP-C, AACRN, FAANP, was a summer intern at the hospital where her father worked when her favorite high school English teacher was admitted with terminal cancer. Beach spent the summer at her teacher’s bedside, until one day she walked in to find a different patient in the bed.
“This is my first memory of receiving bad medical news, and it came from the careful kindness of two registered nurses,” said Beach. “The power that those nurses instilled in me that day was beyond comprehension.”
The experience was profound; she knew nursing would be her life’s calling. Beach now cares for adults seeking HIV treatment and specializes in managing HIV-positive pregnancies.
“When I walk into the room, I carry more than a stethoscope. I carry stories and signs of hope — ones of survival, heartbreak, and strength so unshakable it humbles me. Being an HIV nurse practitioner is not just a job. It’s a calling, a covenant between science and soul,” said Beach, a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston.
Shuyan Bi, nurse practitioner
Location: UT Physicians Center for Healthy Aging – Bellaire Station
As a nurse practitioner at the Center for Healthy Aging, Shuyan Bi, MSN, NP, knows the value of taking the time to listen to each patient.
“A patient told me that her anxiety was so much better because I was there actively listening to her, without any judgment, when she was overwhelmed with her medical challenges and family conflicts,” said Bi.
Bi’s passion for alleviating pain and suffering inspired her to pursue a career in nursing, where she cares for older adults.
“There are countless outstanding and selfless nurses out there,” said Bi. “I am very proud of working alongside them to provide care and comfort to patients in their most vulnerable state.”
Tiffany Cunningham, clinical case manager
Location: UT Physicians Center for Healthy Aging – Bellaire Station
Tiffany Cunningham, MSN, RN, CCCTM, CDP, has always felt a deep calling to care for others.
“Nursing gave me the rare and beautiful chance to blend science, empathy, and human connection into one purpose-driven path. It’s more than a career — it’s a commitment to being present in people’s most vulnerable moments and helping them rise,” she said.
As a clinical case manager in geriatrics, she works with adults 65 and older, navigating complex medical conditions and psychosocial challenges. One of her most memorable career moments came from a patient in her 80s recovering from a stroke.
“Though her children were supportive, she grappled with the painful loss of independence, no longer able to live alone or drive. During one visit, she told me, ‘No one teaches you how to age. After spending your life learning to stand on your own, there comes a point where you have to surrender.’ In that moment, she didn’t need a plan — she needed presence. So, I listened, silently and fully. That conversation changed me. It reminded me that aging is not just a medical process — it’s emotional, personal, and sometimes heartbreaking. Since then, I’ve made it my mission to honor every client’s identity and autonomy, even as their realities shift,” said Cunningham.
Billie T. Hobbs, women’s health nurse
Location: UT Physicians Gynecologic Oncology – Memorial City
Inside the UT Physicians gynecologic oncology practice at Memorial City, Billie Hobbs, BSN, RN, is there to comfort and care for women with cancer who are facing the unknown.
“My goal is to make sure the patients are comfortable and understand the treatment they receive,” said Hobbs. “Cancer diagnoses and oncology treatments are frightening for patients. When patients report that their experience has been pleasant, it means I have given them my best.”
Always the go-to helper who loves to solve problems, Hobbs found nursing in college and never looked back.
“I always strive to give our patients the best care because they deserve it,” she said.
Surprised and humbled after being selected by the Houston Chronicle for her compassionate care and dedication, she says she lives by the words “always be kind.”
“All humans deserve kindness, regardless of where they are in life,” said Hobbs.
Diana Marotto, senior nurse manager
Location: UT Physicians Pediatric Surgery – Texas Medical Center
For Diana Marotto, MSN, RN, OCN, caring for patients and their families is more than a career; it’s her life passion.
“To be acknowledged among so many dedicated and inspiring colleagues is incredibly meaningful,” said Marotto. “This recognition not only reflects my personal journey, but also honors the patients, families, and fellow nurses who have shaped me over the years. I am proud to represent the legacy of oncology nursing and continue serving in a leadership role, helping to support and guide the next generation of nurses.”
As an oncology nurse for most of her career, Marotto has laughed and cried with her patients and their families through strenuous cancer battles. Her most significant piece of advice is to keep perspective.
“Don’t wait to live your best life until everything is perfect, it never will be. You only get one chance. Never underestimate the power of a good laugh, a warm blanket, and someone who genuinely cares,” she said.
Jessica Melendez, nurse manager
Location: UT Physicians Pediatric Center – Bay Area
Throughout her career, Jessica Melendez, MSN, RN, has strived to care for patients with empathy.
“Being able to provide compassionate care, advocate for patients, and be a part of their healing journey has always inspired me,” she said.
As a pediatric nurse, her ability to connect with patients is essential, and earning their trust is part of her nursing care. This was especially true with a young patient she was assisting through rehab after a spinal cord injury.
“Upon admission, he was completely dependent, unable to move much or care for himself. He was understandably angry and overwhelmed,” said Melendez. “I worked closely with him throughout his admission, and over time, he made incredible progress — slowly regaining his mobility, learning new ways to adapt, and pushing through his toughest days with resilience. A few months after discharge, he returned to visit us, walking independently. It was such a powerful and emotional moment for all of us. He thanked us for believing in him and for the role we played in his recovery. It was a full-circle moment for me and a wonderful reminder of why I became a nurse. Moments like this make all the hard work so worthwhile!”
Sarah J. Wall, nurse practitioner
Location: UTHealth Houston Neurosciences – Texas Medical Center
As a former U.S. Marine, Sarah J. Wall, MSN, MBA, AG/ACNP-BC, has dedicated her career to serving others. Her deep sense of commitment and purpose was a driving force behind her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“What I remember most vividly isn’t the chaos, it’s the courage,” said Wall. “We opened new ICU beds almost overnight. We worked exhausting shifts, consoled families over video calls, and cared for some of the sickest patients we had ever seen. We were the anchors in a storm — steadfast, resourceful, and fiercely compassionate.”
Her path to nursing seemed inevitable as the daughter of a nurse and raised in the world of health care. She knew the difference between acetaminophen and ibuprofen by kindergarten. However, her own experience serving our country dramatically shaped her perspective on the role of nurses.
“Every challenge holds a lesson. Every patient holds a story. Every day is a chance to rise. So, keep growing, keep showing up with purpose, and never forget that even the smallest actions can echo far beyond the moment,” said Wall. “You may not always see the ripple effects of your work, but I promise they’re there. And they’re changing lives.”
Enjoy the pictures from the luncheon celebration below.
