Each March, Parkridge Health System honors the contributions of women throughout history, celebrates women in health care who show up every day to care for patients and remains committed to supporting the advancement, equity and full representation of all women.
The women leaders at Parkridge Health – which includes Chief Operating Officer Whitney Evans Snardon – have broken barriers by being the first to obtain higher education degrees within their families and have navigated their careers while experiencing motherhood.
Snardon, the first black woman to hold the COO title at Parkridge Medical Center, strives to foster a stronger community both inside and outside of the hospital.
“Being the first Black woman to hold this position is not lost on me,” she says. “The women who will come after me inspire me today – and I believe promoting diversity should continue to be a priority.”
Snardon serves as an advisory board member of the Hamilton County Family Justice Center and works closely with the Orchard Knob Collaborative, which aims to improve the health and well-being of the local community by addressing the social detriments of health.
She also serves on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council and is the chair of the Black Colleague Network for the HCA Healthcare TriStar Division – Parkridge Health’s parent company.
“You have to meet people where they are, and in order to do that, you have to listen,” she continues. “When you listen, you have a chance to uplift that person to a better space. I try to do that every day.”
The other women who have enriched Parkridge Health and empowered others includes:
Deborah Deal
Chief nurse executive, Parkridge Health
Deal says the face-to-face interactions with patients attracted her to the profession more than 35 years ago.
“My favorite part is still being able to walk down the halls and see patients,” she says. “I love to see the staff members taking care of patients.”
Deal now works to elevate the level of nursing across the six facilities of Parkridge Health, advocating for her nursing colleagues and ensuring they always have the opportunity to develop their careers.
“Anything is possible when you have the right attitude,” she adds. “The most powerful tool someone has can be found in the mind.”
Carolyn Ridge
Chief financial officer, Parkridge Health
Ridge says she aims to translate the numbers at Parkridge Health’s hospitals into words.
“By understanding what the data and results mean, we’re able to tell our story and advance our commitment to the care and improvement of human life,” she says.
Like all of the influential women at Parkridge Health, Ridge also balances the joys of being a mother.
“Finding the right balance between family and professional life is key,” she notes. “That balance won’t always be the same but it’s worth it.”
Michelle Bosworth
Vice president of human resources, Parkridge Health
Bosworth is the recipient of multiple industry credentials and the first in her family to earn a Master of Science degree. She assists others in navigating their careers.
“When you take the time to listen to someone’s story, you’re then able to encourage their goals and celebrate their success,” she says.
Building and maintaining relationships at Parkridge Health helps create a more positive workplace culture, Bosworth adds.
Amy Whipple
Chief nursing officer, Parkridge Valley Hospitals
Whipple ensures patients receive treatment in a setting that’s good for their individual needs.
“Behavioral health care has evolved over the last several years. We focus on care for those who cannot advocate for themselves and consider it a sacred trust when people and families come to us when they’re at their most vulnerable,” she says.
Becky Carroll
Vice president of operations, Parkridge East Hospital
Carroll has an eye for the bigger picture.
Her attention to detail and relationships built over her more than 20-year career with Parkridge Health allows her to lead the company strategically and fulfill its commitment to creating healthier tomorrows.
“I love to take on a new challenge and I like to think of change as an opportunity,” she says. “By looking for ways to collaborate with others, we can reach more goals.”
Lori Feltner
Chief nursing officer, Parkridge East Hospital
Feltner says she looks for ways to empower those around her.
“We put a strong focus on the quality and safety of care we provide our patients,” she says. “In order to give them the best possible care, we work diligently to ignite the passion in our nurses.”
Feltner says that’s done by creating programs for nurses and supporting them to meet their career goals.
Courtney Dalton
Assistant chief financial officer, Parkridge Health
Dalton sats she doesn’t take her position lightly.
Instead, she understands how her role impacts patients and the care Parkridge Health’s hospitals provide each day.
“Being able to collaborate with multiple leaders helps facilitate exceptional health care,” she says. “That’s built on a foundation of inclusion, compassion and respect for our patients and for each other.”
Source: Parkridge Health