(Sept. 1, 2023) – The Kansas Hospital Association's Health Care Worker of the Year Award highlights hospital employees who have made a significant contribution to the betterment of their hospital. These individuals are nominated for this award because they routinely go above and beyond the call of duty.
At her core, Adrienne White knew she loved helping people with their basic needs. She first realized it when she was a leasing agent, but then wanted to do more. So, she became a nurse.
White began her career at Ascension Via Christi St. Teresa, Wichita, as a medical-surgical nurse on the night shift. Next, she extended her help to the hospital's intensive care unit and emergency department. Eventually, she was named unit charge nurse before becoming the house charge nurse. When St. Teresa implemented a house supervisor role 18 months ago, she was asked to lead this new role. In total, White has served in a leadership position for seven years.
White has been at St. Teresa for 13 years, starting from the day the hospital opened. She is very kind and compassionate to her patients, always going the extra mile to accommodate and make them smile. In her current role, White oversees multiple units and staff members. She is a natural leader, fair and personable. She values her position because it allows her to assist teammates across different units, helps to lead teams through high-pressure situations and teaches nurses by empowering their curiosity instead of giving them the answer. When time allows, she still takes time to sit and talk with patients. White has an impressive talent for listening to patients and enjoys finding solutions so they feel heard. She has the nurses' touch and brings reassurance and comfort to all of her patients.
White will be recognized, along with other Health Care Worker of the Year nominees, during the KHA Awards Luncheon at the 2023 KHA Annual Convention, on Thursday, Sept. 7, at the Hyatt Regency Wichita/Century II Convention Center in Wichita.
--Shelby Stacy