Born and raised in America’s Heartland, Terra began specializing in the area of neuroscience back in 1996 while working at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) as a nursing assistant on the neuroscience inpatient unit.  This is where Terra initially met and worked with Dr. Steven Beer.  In the spring of 2000, Terra completed her Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of Iowa.  It was here at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where Terra decided to initiate her professional nursing career.  Terra became a registered nurse working throughout the Medical Intensive Care Unit, the Trauma Intensive Care Unit, and the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit.  Terra’s desire to learn and be proficient in the diversity of the intensive care specialities demonstrated her eagerness to willingness to learn, which lead the Director of Nursing at UIHC to promote Ms. Hines as an Intensive Surgical Services Nursing Supervisor at the early age of 26.  Under this responsibility, Ms. Hines supervised a combined total of 30 to 40 staff members a shift, consisting of both nurses and ancillary staff, for the six Intensive Care Units as well as the Emergency Room at the 760 bed, Level 1 teaching hospital of UIHC.

In 2005, Ms. Hines choose to further expand her neuroscience knowledge by beginning her traveling nursing career, which started at the prestigious Barrows Neurological Institute/St. Joseph’s Hospital in downtown Phoenix, Arizona and lead to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington .  During this period is when Terra supplemented her Level 1 Neurotrauma and Neurovascular (aneurysm and arteriovenous malformations) nursing experience, management, and knowledge by working in the Neuroscience/Neurological Intensive Cares Units and Trauma Intensive Care Units.  Terra then returned to Phoenix, Arizona where she worked in all intensive care unit specialities (neuro, cardiac, medical, pulmonary, trauma, surgical, solid organ transplant, and bone marrow) throughout the 6 Level 1 Trauma Centers in the Phoenix area.

In 2007, Ms. Hines went on to achieve both the Critical Care Nurse (CCRN) certification and the Certified Neuroscience Nurse (CNRN) certification.  Also in 2007, Ms. Hines supplemented her neuroscience background by working as a expert in the area of Neuromodulation for the management of chronic pain for the innovative company Advanced Neuromodulation Systems or St. Jude Medical.

In 2011, after leaving sunny Arizona to move to Cheyenne, Wyoming, Ms. Hines took the opportunity to work along side Dr. Beer again and became his full time clinic nurse and office manager at Wyoming Spine and Neurosurgery Associates, LLC (WSNA).   Her addition to the practice enables Wyoming Spine and Neurosurgery Associates to  achieve over 50 years of neurosurgical care.

The ability to continue learning and furthering education, knowledge, and professional experience is very important to Terra.  So currently, she is expanding and challenging her “brain” knowledge by switching the area of educational focus by obtaining her Masters in Clinical Psychology with the intention of achieving her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) in the speciality of psychiatric and mental health nursing.

Terra may appear to be an “all work and no play” individual, however, she enjoys engaging in competitive sports and activities, such as tennis, triathlons, running, and cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes!