Children’s Minnesota would like to congratulate Adriene Thornton, MAOM, BSN, CIC, FAPIC, health equity manager at Children’s Minnesota, for being honored as a 2024 Women Leaders Rising Star by Modern Healthcare. The recognition celebrates outstanding contributions of women across the health care industry, highlighting their efforts in improving care delivery, promoting health equity, shaping policy, and advancing gender equality in health care leadership.
Throughout the 2022-2023 flu season, Adriene developed a data-driven approach and championed community-based vaccine clinics for kids and teens – especially in the most underserved Twin Cities neighborhoods where flu vaccine disparities existed for Black and Hispanic families. Thanks to a grant from the United Health Foundation, Adriene and the health equity team strategically vaccinated hundreds of kids at community centers, schools and community events. Her passion to reduce health disparities by bringing vaccines and education to families in the community allows Children’s Minnesota to meet them where they live, work and play and support their health and wellbeing.
In addition, Adriene is a leader in advocating for gender equity in the health care industry. She serves on the Associate Board of the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST where she has mentored and connected with women professional across the health care sector on identifying their strengths and leaning into leadership roles. Within Children’s Minnesota, Adriene is part of the system’s registered nurse strategy team to identify innovative ways to recruit diverse nurses, such as building partnerships with HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). She also serves as co-chair of the Black Employee Engagement Network (BEEN) employee resource group.
The profiles of all the winners are featured in the March 11, 2024, print issue of Modern Healthcare. Subscribers to Modern Healthcare can also read the profiles here.