24 Healthcare Professionals Chosen for Next WHY We Lead Cohort
Two dozen healthcare professionals have been chosen for WHY We Lead, a highly selective program offered by the South Carolina Hospital Association to help prepare the next generation of hospital and healthcare leaders. The program is part of WHY, an SCHA initiative to transform the work experience and support the healthcare workforce.
WHY We Lead targets mid-level management positions and aims to equip them to effectively lead teams, encourage employee engagement and embrace change. Those selected for the series starting in January 2025 are:
Alyce Frank, Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Case Management Supervisor
Amanda Lilienthal, MUSC Health, Senior Manager Finance Training and Innovations
Amanda Taylor, Prisma Health, Director of Nursing-Women’s
Angela London, Lexington Medical Center, Talent Acquisition Supervisor
Chris Spivey, McLeod Health Cheraw, Emergency Department Patient Care Supervisor
Cristina Brendel, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare, RN Manager
Cynthia Kinney, Self Regional , VP CNO
Donnie C. Drake, Lexington Medical Center , Clinical OPS Supervisor CT/MRI
Hailey Kamin, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Bluffton, Nurse Manager
Hannah Schonenberg, MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, Interim Nurse Manager
Jaime Vascovich, Mcleod Health, Diagnostic Supervisor
Jasmine Milton, MUSC/Chester County Community Coalition, Grant Coordinator
Jenny Meuse, Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Director of Emergency Services
John Scheper, MUSC Health, System Director, 340B Program Operations
Kaitlin Whitesell, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Rock Hill, Nurse Manager
Karlin Ferguson, MUSC Health, System Marketing & Corporate Communications Director
Latoya Heyward, Tidelands Health, Human Resources Manager
Michael E. Funderburk, Tidelands Health, Human Resources Business Partner
Nan Carter, South Carolina Hospital Association, Manager, High Reliability and Innovation
Paige Warner, Prisma Health- Greenville Memorial Hospital, Neuro ICU Nurse Manager
Tracie Grant, MUSC Health, Program Director, System Quality & Safety
Trevor Hudson, Encompass Health, Therapy Manager
Victoria Luciano, Aiken Regional Medical Centers, HR Recruiting Supervisor
Victoria Viventi, Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Assistant Administrator
WHY We Lead focuses on developing key leadership competencies such as self-awareness, building trust in relationships, emotional intelligence, effective communication, critical conversations, problem solving, and operational excellence. Participants will also learn how to effectively manage conflicts and inspire others to achieve their full potential through purposeful and worthwhile work.
The program has earned rave reviews from participants, including the following testimonials:
“The classes were amazing and the lessons learned were priceless.”
“I have learned a wealth of valuable information that has transformed my leadership style.”
“I took steps out of my comfort zone on multiple occasions and felt nothing but understanding and support from the leaders and group.”
“I think one of the most important things that I learned is that in order to be effective in a leadership role, you have to put aside the title of manager and see yourself as a leader.”
WHY — an acronym that stands for work, harmony, you — seeks to restore harmony to the relationship between work and the people who do it. The goal is to find solutions for systemic, root causes contributing to healthcare worker burnout, disengagement, and turnover.
To learn more about WHY and how hospitals can get involved, visit www.scwhy.org.