Alumni Stories

Born in Salt Lake City to an obstetrician, Dr. Richard Tanner, Deanne was immediately interested in all things medical. In an attempt to convince her NOT to go into nursing, her dad got her a job working at LDS Hospital as an elevator operator, where she helped deliver a set of twins who decided to arrive before making it to Labor and Delivery. She was hooked! She wanted to be a nurse and do that forever! Her father “handpicked” her husband who was just completing his obstetrical training at LDS Hospital. From one obstetrician’s home to another! While bringing the first of her six children into the world, she also completed her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Utah College of Nursing in 1963 with honors.

Her first job after nursing school was the “preemie nursery”. It was supposed to be temporary until a place opened up where she really wanted to work. She stayed. For 58 years, her clinical home was in the Newborn Intensive Care unit at Utah Valley Hospital where she worked in a variety of critical care nursing, education and lactation roles. She was the first prenatal educator, the first Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and is credited with changing culture and policy so that fathers were present and supportive in the delivery room. She worked at the BYU Health Center for two years and has been both a Clinical Instructor and Adjunct Faculty for the BYU College of Nursing. The education of students, staff, patients, and their families has always been a priority. She was a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator and even wrote her own prenatal education book titled, “Have It Your Way…in the Hospital”. In addition to her prenatal book, Deanne has published articles on missionary health for the Ensign, LDS Living, co-authored an article for the U.S. Lactation Consultant (USLCA) journal, and helped write and produce several professional educational films for both perinatal care (The Miracle of Birth) and on the newborn intensive care experience (Born Too Soon).

After obtaining her International Board Certification as a Lactation Consultant in 1996, Deanne’s career became focused on implementing breastfeeding support best practices throughout Intermountain Healthcare including the development of a protocol for use of pasteurized human milk for gastric priming and wrote the grant to cover the cost for four years. She was a member of the Intermountain Lactation Standards team, and was a leader in the development of lactation services throughout Intermountain Healthcare. She is truly an expert in the provision of lactation care in the Newborn Intensive Care. Not only has she helped countless mothers and babies achieve success but has educated thousands of nurses and doctors individually, and as an invited presenter at local, national, and international lactation educational events.

Community and humanitarian service have always been a priority. She served as the Nursing Director at the Utah County Volunteer Medical Clinic and served in advisory or board roles on the March of Dimes and Family Support Center. She has served countless medical and humanitarian missions including as a volunteer NICU nurse aboard the USNS Comfort providing services to seven nations. She has taught neonatal resuscitation as a volunteer instructor in Mexico. For over 9 years, Deanne served as the volunteer Committee Chair of the Mission Nurse Committee for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, overseeing the care of ~80,000 young and senior missionaries around the globe. Deanne was a founding member in developing the Mountain West Mother’s Milk Bank which provides banked human milk across the Intermountain West.

Deanne has always been a bundle of energy accomplishing more than the average person during her professional career. Even after retiring at age 81, she continues to use her professional skills to serve others. She is an NICU “cuddler” and during the pandemic served as a volunteer nurse giving COVID vaccines at the Utah County Health Department. Deanne has assisted in the development of a maternity hospital (CCBRT) in Tanzania, providing oversight and guidance for their NICU and associated feeding policies. Most recently, Deanne is part of a team of professional volunteers that are establishing a nursery program (BHIVE) at the new Utah State Prison. As her daughter, and as a nurse who is trying to “follow in her footsteps”, I’m tired just trying! I can honestly say that she is my hero!