Heather Veltre

Faces of Saint Peter’s

Give a cheer for Heather Veltre! A registered nurse and the nursing director of Emergency Services at Saint Peter’s University Hospital, Veltre spends her off-hours as the director of her 10-year-old daughter Cassidy’s cheerleading club. veltre, 43, lives in Colonia with her husband, Adam, 44, who works for New Jersey natural resources, and their children, Tyler, 18; Kyle, 15; and Cassidy. She earned her bachelor of arts and master of science in administration degrees from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a nursing degree from Elizabeth General Hospital School of Nursing. She has been at Saint Peter’s for almost three years.

As an administrator, do you miss nursing?

I do miss my patients, but I like coaching and mentoring staff to help them deliver the very best care. I think that is my strength. Still, I was a practicing nurse for much of my career, and I still do some nursing—I put in an IV this morning, for example. I jump in whenever they need me.

How did you get involved with cheerleading?

I started in third grade and continued through high school. When my daughter
 got to cheerleading age three years ago, she wanted to do it. I was asked to become part of the program initially as a coach and I eventually became the director. Cassidy cheers for the school’s basketball team, and she is also a competition cheerleader. She and her teammates compete for awards at local and regional competitions.

What do you enjoy about coaching?

I love to be able to influence young women to be assertive, strong, athletic and empowered. Striving for those traits has always served me well in my career.

Ever get the urge to join in with a cheer?

Oh, I usually do get back out there. I show the girls the moves. I love to dance, and I can still do my cartwheels. I can hold my own with them, much to my daughter’s dismay! —D.L.