journey

PHOENIX FOCUS | Nat’e Guyton
School of Advanced Studies
“Instead of dwelling on her situation, Guyton says it
gave her more resolve and determination to seek a
better life.
“It caused me to be laser focused on what I needed
to do for myself and my family, my career and my
community. Nobody in my community had education
and many people were laid off and on welfare.”
Overcoming the odds
Despite a lack of money and scarcity of educational
role models, Guyton found the inner strength to
transcend the obstacles. “I say it was God’s will. I didn’t
have a road map, but I had a vision in my head early
on,” she says.
Because of that vision, Guyton graduated in 2015 with
a Doctor of Management from University of Phoenix.
She recently landed the position of Chief Operating
Officer of the Society of Hospital Medicine, a nonprofit
organization based in Philadelphia that represents
more than 14,000 practicing hospitalists in the U.S.
“I speak to young ladies about
developmental opportunities and
career pathways, getting their
resumes together and getting
into college.”
Nat’e Guyton
Before earning her doctoral degree, Guyton obtained
a bachelor’s degree in nursing and a master’s degree
in nursing education from Widener University, got
married and raised two boys, now 7 and 14.
Guyton credits her husband, Sean, whom she met at
15, with helping her succeed. While Guyton attended
school, he took care of the children and helped
maintain their home. He shuttled them to sports
practices, went grocery shopping and made dinner
when Guyton was at school, studying or working late.
He continues to do the same today while working a full
time job.
“My husband is awesome. … He’s also been a constant
in my life outside of my grandmother. He’s seen the
struggle and he has always been a part of helping me
get where I needed to go.”
A generation of role models
Earning the advanced degree was a tremendous
personal accomplishment for Guyton, and she’s
provided a strong role model for her children. “It was
a blessing to go through the program and allow them
to see the process and work ethic needed to succeed,”
she says. “My oldest son said, ‘Mom, you set the bar
high for us.’” Both boys are talking about becoming
physicians.
Guyton developed her strong work ethic from watching her grandmother
work the 3-11 p.m. shift as a hospital unit clerk. Every day after school,
Guyton went to the hospital and did her homework there because she wasn’t
allowed to be home alone. She remembers spending Christmas with the
hospital Santa. “I grew up in the hospital. It was all I really knew.”
That early exposure sparked Guyton’s interest in a health-care career. While
in high school, she took advanced science and math classes and decided on
nursing. After graduating at 17, she enrolled at Widener University while
working as a file clerk in a law firm and as a nursing assistant.
“Between me and my grandmother, we paid for school, but it wasn’t easy,”
she says.
Patient advocate
While in nursing school, Guyton excelled academically, but it wasn’t until
she worked as a student nurse in the hospital and treated a young man who
had sustained massive injuries in a car accident that she fully grasped the
humanitarian aspect of nursing. “He was literally in pieces—arms broken,
legs broken, neck broken. I was on that clinical (rotation) for about six
months and I watched him get better every day and walk out of
the hospital,” she says. “I knew then I wanted to be a part of that.
Being a patient advocate as a nurse really aligned with what I was
purposed to do.”
Guyton has always seen her role in life as one of an advocate. “My
purpose is to be a voice for the people,” she says. “I was the voice
for patients when I was a staff nurse. I was able to represent nurses
at the technology table. I’m a voice for my professional community
when I’m sitting at the table as a COO at 39,” she says.
Serving her community
But equally important to her is advocating for young women in
the African-American community. She serves as a mentor to
many through Widener University’s Black Student Union as well
as through her high school alma mater and local Boys and Girls
Clubs. “I speak to young ladies about developmental opportunities
and career pathways, getting their resumes together and getting
into college,” she says.
As she settles in to her new job at the Society of
Hospital Medicine, a nonprofit based in Philadelphia
that represents 14,000 hospitals in the United
States, Guyton says she’s been blessed to have many
opportunities in her career.
“The one thing I hold on to is my purpose and my
destiny. That is what propelled me where I am today
and wherever I will be going in the future.”
For information on this program, including on-time
completion rates, the median debt incurred by students
who completed the program and other important
information, please visit phoenix.edu/programs/gainfulemployment.html.
24 PHOENIX FOCUS | Spring 2016
alumni.phoenix.edu 25