Celebrating Victoria Galvin: 3 Decades of Nursing Leadership & AAPI Heritage at TMH
June 12, 2026While Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a dedicated time to honor the rich histories, diverse cultures, and invaluable contributions of the AAPI community, celebrating these incredible stories is a year-round privilege. Here at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare (TMH), we are constantly inspired by the remarkable colleagues who shape our organization.
One colleague whose career truly embodies the spirit of care, culture and community is Victoria Galvin, Assistant Nurse Manager of the Surgical Pre-Admission Clinic (SPAC), who is nearing her well-deserved retirement.
Victoria has spent nearly three decades serving patients and guiding the next generation of compassionate caregivers. As she prepares to enter her next chapter, it offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on her journey from the Philippines to the heart of our hospital.
An Obedient Child, An Extraordinary Nurse
Victoria’s path to nursing wasn't entirely her own blueprint. Born and raised in the Philippines—a country driven by faith, family, and a fierce work ethic—her childhood passion was actually accounting.
"My mom wanted me to go to the United States and be a nurse," Victoria shares. "I’m glad I was an obedient child, because it was a great decision. It is the most caring profession, and I love what I do."
That blend of determination and adaptability defined her early career. Victoria nursed across the country, from New York to Miami, before finding her true home at TMH in 1997. She spent her first four years on 3 North, our medical-surgical Cardiac Progressive Care Unit.
"That was my first home," Victoria says warmly. "It was a busy floor, but I learned a lot, and the people I worked with... they're just awesome! That experience helped shape me into the nurse I am today."
In 2001, she transitioned to the pre- and post-op unit, and by 2015, her natural leadership led to her promotion as the Assistant Nurse Manager for SPAC. In SPAC, Victoria found her perfect rhythm, ensuring elective surgery patients are optimally and safely prepared for their procedures.
"I found the perfect balance in outpatient," Victoria reflects. "As a nurse, you want to give your all, but you also need balance. And this is where I found that."
Passing the Torch
As a compassionate nurse, Victoria is equally dedicated to building a supportive environment for younger nurses. Before moving into management, she was a dedicated preceptor, a role where her cultural values and professional passion seamlessly merged.
Influenced deeply by her 93-year-old aunt—who instilled in her the values of education, resilience, and unconditional kindness—Victoria poured everything she knew into the next generation of caregivers.
"I don't hold back—everything I know, I share," Victoria says.
When asked why she has loved her time here so deeply, Victoria’s answer is immediate: "It's the people I work with. They said they're not letting me go!"
Living the Dream and Finding Community
For Victoria, celebrating her AAPI heritage isn't restricted to a single month; it is a daily practice of integrity and gratitude.
"Our brown color signifies our birth country, but it doesn't define who we are as naturalized citizens of this country whom we love," Victoria explains beautifully. "The 'American Dream' is possible for those who work hard, with sheer determination and initiative, regardless of their background. How I carry myself at work and outside work with integrity, kindness, and appreciation of the opportunity given to me is celebrating my heritage in my daily life.
That dedication to community extends far beyond the Mustian Center walls. Victoria is an active member of the Big Bend Filipino American Association (BBFAA), participating in local events that champion charity and togetherness. And while she arrived in the country back in 1991 knowing nothing about cooking, she smiles remembering how she mastered family favorites like pancit (noodles) and lumpia (egg rolls) through trial and error over the years—a delicious reminder of how we grow when we embrace new horizons.
When she isn't giving back or leading her unit, Victoria and her husband love enjoying the natural beauty of Tallahassee, a place they grew to love deeply after the hustle and bustle of Miami and New York. In retirement, the couple has a goal to visit all of Tallahassee’s beautiful parks, of which there are nearly 200. You will likely find her at one of her favorites, the Lafayette Heritage Trail and J.R. Alford Greenway, standing on the beautiful wooden bridge that places you eye-level with the magnificent, moss-draped oak trees.
Thank You, Victoria
Victoria often notes how fortunate she feels to have worked alongside such supportive leaders and teammates from top to bottom. But we are truly the fortunate ones to have such dedicated, compassionate colleagues like Victoria who call TMH home.
Victoria, thank you for carrying the torch so brightly for so many years, for shaping our culture with kindness, and for showing us what true, compassionate leadership looks like. We wish you endless sunny days, beautiful canopy trails, and a wonderful retirement!
