Meet the Board: Tatum Parmer

Mason Beuhring, Communications & Program Services Director at Marietta Community Foundation, sits down with Tatum Parmer, the newest member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, to get to know this prominent community member.

Mason Beuhring: Good morning, Tatum. I’d like to start off by asking about your background and how you came to Marietta?

Tatum Parmer: Professionally, my background has been in healthcare.  I lived and worked in the Morgantown/Fairmont WV area right after I graduated college and then moved to Marietta in 2000. I worked in critical care at a couple of area hospitals and then started full-time at Marietta Memorial Hospital in 2001 to open the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and take a leadership position.  I worked at Marietta Memorial Hospital for 19 years, resigning from my position just last year. I started as a Staff Nurse in the Critical Care Unit and worked my way up through several management positions.

Eventually, I became the Senior Director of Nursing/Chief Nursing Officer for both Marietta Memorial Hospital and Selby General Hospital. I oversaw all of the nursing care delivered within the health system including inpatient units, surgical services, emergency services, and nursing management.

I did that for a couple of years and then in 2012, I transitioned into an accreditation and compliance role in order to spend more time with my son, Grayer. At that point, Grayer was busy with activities and I didn’t want to miss out.

I just started my own business last year, STP Healthcare Consulting. I go into other organizations and help them with policy and procedure development, compliance, and regulations. I’m a nurse with a business background.

MB: That is quite a resume! Are you from this area originally?

TP: I was born in Southern West Virginia, but I grew up in western Maryland around Deep Creek Lake. I received my Bachelor's in Nursing from West Virginia Wesleyan College and then completed my Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Findlay.

MB: You mentioned your son, Grayer, earlier. Do you have any other family locally?

TP: Of course my husband, Shane is a Vascular Surgeon at Marietta Memorial Hospital. He has a very busy practice and loves his patients! My father in law also moved to Marietta in 2018 after living in California most of his life. He always enjoyed his visits here.  

Grayer is 17 years old, and growing up way too fast! He’s a junior at Marietta High School and competes in Golf and Baseball… one of my greatest pleasures is getting to watch him and be involved with what he’s doing.

MB: You relocated through hospital recruitment, what drew you to this area specifically?

TP: Many years ago, I visited the area for an interview and wasn’t drawn to  live in the Parkersburg area but I drove across the Williamstown Bridge into Marietta, had lunch at Third Street Deli, and walked around Downtown… I remember thinking ‘I could live here, this feels like a good home.’

The people were friendly, the downtown area was amazing, and we could see all of the beautiful historic homes… I just fell in love with it.

MB: After almost 20 years at Marietta Memorial, what made you want to branch out and start your own business?

TP: It was time. We were at a point in our lives where things personally were pretty busy, and I had maxed out my professional development at the hospital.

I just felt that with my expertise and experience over two-decades, that I could branch out and build my own business.  It was the challenge I wanted.  It also gave me the ability to manage my schedule to where it works for me and my family.

MB: What does STP Healthcare Consulting do?

TP:  I work with leadership and physicians at hospitals and  find things they need to improve upon or aspects of their facilities that are not in compliance with certain standards or regulations. I then work with them to implement changes for their medical staff or leadership to ensure compliance with healthcare  standards and delivery are met.

MB: Outside of owning your own business, what hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?

TP: We love to travel. Any time we get to go to a new destination or a new country we are all on board. Grayer has grown up traveling with us and he is pretty proud of his passport stamps.

MB: Are there any specific destinations that you consider a must for anyone looking to travel?

TP: We enjoyed our time in Italy, in fact, we are taking Grayer there in 2021 as a graduation gift. That was a phenomenal experience! We literally ate our way through the country! The history is unreal and the coastal towns are so beautiful.

Last year Grayer and I went to Iceland, we do a ‘mom and me’ trip once a year, and I let him pick last year since he is almost college age and the trips will become more challenging to make. He chose Iceland, which I was not looking forward to at first… I wanted to go somewhere tropical, but it ended up being a bucket list trip. We were able to see the Northern Lights and snorkel in 30 degree water over the Tectonic Plates!  Definitely not our usual itinerary for vacation, but thankful to be pushed outside my comfort zone!

MB: Are there any other ways you like to spend your time?

I also love to read! I am a member of the Capitolium Literary Society here in town.  I like a mix of fiction and non-fiction and usually read a couple of newspapers a day.  I also enjoy walking with my Labrador-Maxine, golfing, and snow skiing.

I do like to get involved with the community, I’m on a couple of other boards as well as the Foundation’s. I’m a member of the Peoples Bank Theatre Board and a member of the Women’s Giving Circle. I try to be philanthropic with my time!

MB: How did you get involved with the Foundation?

TP: We have a fund at the Foundation and have been donors for many years. Heather approached me and asked if I would be interested in joining the Foundation’s board. With starting my new business last year, it really worked out because I now have the time to volunteer!

MB: In your new position with the board, what do you hope to accomplish?

TP: I think with my career in healthcare and having a child at the high school, I am able to see a lot of needs that others may not be aware of.  I hope to be able to add to the beautiful town we call home and help those individuals and organizations that are in need.

MB: Well Tatum, I am looking forward to working with you to make this community a better place!

TP: Me too!