Adriene Y. Thornton, RN, MAOM, BSN, CIC, FAPIC, Manager of Health Equity, Children’s Minnesota

What’s your current role?

I work collaboratively to support the organizational strategic goals related to improving health outcomes due to health disparities.

When and why did you join the Women’s Health Leadership TRUST?

I am a member of the Associate Board and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access (IDEA) committee. I joined the TRUST in 2021 because I desired to be around other successful women in healthcare. I noticed many women in executive health care positions were members of the TRUST. With that knowledge, it was a given that if I wanted to experience that kind of success, I needed to surround myself with people with the knowledge I needed to progress upward.

Do you have a favorite TRUST memory so far?

My favorite memory is meeting the Associate Board members in person. I established a more intimate relationship with my fellow members and created a connection and bond that is hard to foster in a virtual environment.

What is the best career advice you’ve received?

Dress and prepare for the job you want, not the job you have.

How do you support other women in their leadership journeys?

I love to mentor other women and help them identify their strengths. I am most successful in helping other women see potential in what they are doing now and what they can do to maximize that potential to get what they want professionally.

How do you cope with demanding aspects of your career?

I have learned to give myself grace for not being perfect or on target all the time. I make time for mental breaks and perform my work in new ways that decrease the stress of working during a pandemic, such as doing virtual meetings from my deck. It’s important to do something that restores peace and sanity in the work environment. I am also learning to say no when I am at max capacity for my workload (this is a work in progress).

How do you maintain or improve your health and well-being?

I have decided to invest in myself. I am actively looking for a therapist to help me remain grounded and to teach me how to unload some of my baggage. I also purchased exercise equipment to use at home and joined several social media groups focused on health and well-being. I find that the less I have to think about it or figure out what to do, the more likely I am to participate in healthy living activities successfully.

What is something not many people know about you?

I love Asian culture. I love the food, the language, and the family values I have discovered in researching different Asian cultures. I want to learn to speak Korean so I can communicate with everyone when I travel there!

Who inspires you?

My daughter. She is bold and fearless and lives in her truth. She has inspired me to do the same.

Do you have words of wisdom that drive you? To whom much is given, much will be required. Luke 12:48. As I continue to excel in life and career, I cannot forget those that paved the way and must help those that will come after me.