Women’s Excellence in Leadership Award Presented to Union Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Rhonda Smith
Union Health Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Rhonda Smith was brought to tears on Wednesday morning, as she was honored with the 2021 Women’s Excellence in Leadership Award.
The award was presented by Terre Haute Chamber President Kristin Craig and Janet Clark, from Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. SMWC is the sponsor of the annual award which coincides with the annual Terre Haute Women’s Conference. The conference is April 23, virtual.
Smith, who has been with Union Health for 10 years, was chosen from dozens of nominations from all over West Central Indiana. In two nominations Smith was described as dedicated, hard working and “the nurse executive that all strive to be”.
Her ability to be such an approachable Chief Nursing Officer is described as unique – and is a skill that takes a great deal of initiative to accomplish. Her leadership led Union Hospital to the hallmark of excellence in health care with the achievement of the prestigious Magnet® designation in January 2020.
“Rhonda is a fun and fearless leader,” wrote Holman in Smith’s nomination letter. “She has led nursing practice at Union Health to a level of excellence that was previously unattainable with a vision for future growth and development. It is not easy to be a health care leader in the chaos of our current world – but Rhonda does so with grace and integrity. Her commitment to nurses and patients is unmatched! She is so deserving of the Women’s Excellence in Leadership award for her dedication to the women (and men) in health care in the Wabash Valley.”
The Women’s Excellence in Leadership Award, formerly titled the ATHENA Leadership Award®, honors an amazing woman succeeding and working for both business and community. Traditionally this award was presented during the Chamber Annual Meeting in August, but was transitioned in 2020 to be presented during the annual Terre Haute Women’s Conference.
“Each year we receive so many great nominations of deserving women in West Central Indiana,” said Kristin Craig. “After the last year, living within a global pandemic, Rhonda was without a doubt a deserving honoree. We read multiple nominations from her Union Health colleagues about her dedication to her job before and during COVID-19.”
Smith, visibly shocked and emotional, declined to speak after the presentation, simply saying, “I’m honored. I have a great team behind me.”
Additional information about the award:
The Women’s Excellence in Leadership Award, formerly titled the ATHENA Leadership Award®, honors an amazing woman succeeding and working for both business and community. Traditionally this award was presented during the Chamber Annual Meeting in August, but was transitioned in 2020 to be presented during the annual Terre Haute Women’s Conference.
ATHENA Leadership Award® has previously honored several outstanding women in the community, including: Sister Barbara Doherty, Marilyn Pendergast, Beth Tevlin, Sydney Bell, Jeanette Winchester, Becky Buse, Marla Flowers, Claudia Tanoos, Patrece Dayton, Sara Smith, Carol Roesch, Dottie King, Sara Arnett, Rachel Leslie, Barbara “Boo” Lloyd, Bernice Helman, Cheri Bradley, Susan Decker and Amy Hock.
