(Aug. 23, 2024) – The Kansas Hospital Association's Heart of Health Care Worker Award highlights hospital employees who have made a significant contribution to the betterment of their hospital. This week, KHA honors Tanya Brabender, Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc., for her service and contributions to health care.
Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan Interim Nursing Leader Tanya Brabender has played a key role for the organization over the past year and is one of their "rising stars." Brabender was the peripherally inserted central catheter nurse for the first part of the fiscal year and contributed to the organization by co-chairing the Nursing Shared Governance group. In addition, she led an education initiative for central line care and maintenance with a focus on infection prevention.
Brabender implemented a process of rounding and coaching with all nursing supervisors (new for the team), facilitated activities with the nursing leaders and supported the ancillary leaders as they made numerous changes. She has built key relationships with associates as they struggle to decrease turnover and improve the associate experience. Brabender has represented the organization at community events, physician meetings and activities and is a key person working on several acquisition and physician recruitment projects.
Brabender seems to always have a smile on her face and a contagious laugh that spills down the hallways. You can see her positive, glass always half full or more approach as she interacts with some of our sickest patients at the Nursing Shared Governance meetings and how she has approached her role as interim nursing leader for the facility. She puts her heart into working with the team to find and implement solutions to process and safety issues.
Brabender accepted the interim nursing leader role knowing she is not eligible for the permanent role until she completes her graduate degree. This has not impacted her positive energy and drive to help the team be successful.
Brabender, and other Heart of Health Care Worker Award nominees, will be recognized during the KHA Awards Luncheon at the 2024 KHA Annual Convention on Sept. 5, 2024, at Sheraton Overland Park/Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park.
--Shelby Stacy