Dr. Sandra A. Hyder, DNP, MBA, APRN, ACNPC-AG, NEA-BC, CPHQ, LBBP, CCRN, CVRN, PCCN, FAPPEX

Biography

Dr. Sandra A. Hyder, DNP, MBA, APRN, ACNPC-AG, NEA-BC, CPHQ, LBBP, CCRN, CVRN, PCCN, FAPPEX is the Manager of Operations for the Department of Advanced Practice at Memorial Hermann Hospital – Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas, where she leads strategic and operational initiatives supporting more than 50 advanced practice providers across multiple cardiovascular service lines.

With a career spanning critical care, cardiovascular medicine, and advanced practice leadership, Dr. Hyder is recognized for her commitment to advancing APP education, quality improvement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. She previously served as Interim Director of Advanced Practice Providers and Lead Acute Care Nurse Practitioner for the Cardiovascular Intensive Care and Intermediate Care Units, where she combined clinical expertise with operational leadership to improve patient outcomes and strengthen provider development.

She is the Co-Founder and Course Director of the Transition to Advanced Practice Program (TAPP), an innovative initiative designed to bridge the gap between graduate education and real-world clinical practice for new advanced practice providers. A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Hyder has extensive experience teaching and developing clinical training programs for nurses and APPs, with a focus on structured onboarding, competency development, and improving quality metrics in high-acuity environments.

Dr. Hyder has presented nationally and internationally on topics including advanced practice provider development, cardiovascular critical care, and healthcare quality improvement. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice from The University of Texas Health Science Center, where she also holds appointment as Assistant Professor for Graduate Studies, along with a Master of Science in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nursing and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University. Outside of her professional work, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and actively supports community and professional service initiatives.

Leadership in Advanced Practice

As Manager of Operations for the Department of Advanced Practice at Memorial Hermann Hospital – Texas Medical Center, Dr. Hyder provides strategic and operational leadership that supports advanced practice providers across complex cardiovascular service lines. Her work strengthens interdisciplinary collaboration, operational efficiency, and provider development in high-acuity healthcare environments.

Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to excellence in advanced practice, combining clinical expertise with strong systems thinking to improve outcomes for patients, providers, and organizations alike.

Education & Training Leadership

• Co-Founder and Course Director of the Transition to Advanced Practice Program (TAPP)
• Extensive experience teaching and developing clinical training programs for nurses and APPs
• Focused on structured onboarding and competency development
• Supports provider readiness in real-world, high-acuity clinical practice
• Appointed Assistant Professor for Graduate Studies at The University of Texas Health Science Center

Quality & Clinical Excellence

• Improves quality metrics in critical care and cardiovascular environments
• Promotes interdisciplinary collaboration across advanced practice and physician teams
• Brings leadership experience in cardiovascular intensive and intermediate care settings
• Supports operational strategies that strengthen patient outcomes and provider development
• Maintains multiple specialty certifications in critical care, cardiovascular nursing, healthcare quality, and executive leadership

Mentorship & Professional Influence

Dr. Hyder is widely respected as an educator, mentor, and advocate for the next generation of healthcare professionals. Her work is rooted in helping nurses and advanced practice providers transition into practice with confidence, competence, and strong clinical judgment.

Through leadership, teaching, and service, she continues to shape the future of advanced practice by investing in people, strengthening systems, and promoting excellence across the continuum of care.