11/11/2025
In honor of Veterans Day, we profile one of our nurses whose military career began in the U.S. Army and continues in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Holly Gover, RN, MSN, CIC
Manager, Infection Prevention
Hendrick Medical Center
⭐ What are your day-to-day responsibilities?
My responsibilities include hospital-wide rounding, hand hygiene education, investigating hospital-associated infections, reviewing surgical procedures and collaborating with infectious disease physicians. I also notify local, state and federal agencies that require the reporting of 88 conditions when diagnosed, such as sexually transmitted diseases, food-borne illnesses and tuberculosis. I also work on infection prevention processes in Environmental Services, Lab, Pharmacy, Respiratory, Supply Chain and Emergency Management.
⭐ Recap your military career.
I have a rich family tradition of military service by my grandfather, father, two brothers and my son. My father was drafted during the Korean conflict, and he told us, whatever we did, not to join the U.S. Army. Despite his advice, we all had successful careers in the U.S. Army. Mine included mobilizations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
I joined after high school and served on active duty for three years in Germany. After taking a break to start my family, I returned to the U.S. Army Reserves with a direct commission into the Army Nurse Corp. Shortly afterward, I was mobilized to Fort Hood near Killeen to work in Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) to ensure soldiers were medically ready to deploy to combat areas and to assess their health on return from deployment. While at Fort Hood, I worked alongside my son, who is currently on active duty. My second mobilization was to Fort Bliss near El Paso to work in the Soldier Readiness Unit (SRU) to manage the combat-injured service members to prepare them to return to work or transition to civilian life.
After returning from mobilization, I was assigned to the 7231st Medical Support Unit in Lubbock as executive officer, and followed on as unit commander. I will retire in December with 21 years of combined service.
⭐ Why did you become involved in healthcare?
My mother and four aunts were career nurses. I was intrigued by stories my mom shared. My dream since I was 6 was to follow in my mom’s footsteps. My motivation to pursue nursing in the U.S. Army was to give back to our great nation by serving and caring for those who served.
⭐ What brought you to Hendrick Health?
I enjoyed my clinical experience at Hendrick while attending Abilene Intercollegiate School of Nursing (AISN), now the Patty Hanks Shelton School of Nursing of McMurry University. I felt a connection with the staff and physicians. In May 2003, I began working at Hendrick Medical Center on the Oncology Unit.
