Shriners Children’s Northern California welcomes Wendi Thomas, RN, MSN, as the director of patient care services/nurse executive. In her new role since December, Thomas says, “I was drawn to Shriners Children’s for its exceptional care focused on children, education and research. It’s been a heart-fulfilling couple of months so far.”
Thomas has a personal connection to Shriners Children’s dating back to the 1950s, when her father spent many months as a patient in their San Francisco hospital.
“He lit up when he found out that I’ve joined them,” she says.
With three nursing degrees and more than 30 years in health care, Thomas has had roles as a bedside nurse, nurse manager and nursing director. Most recently, she was the chief nursing officer for two hospitals in Sonoma County. She strives to inspire and guide team members who provide bedside care and to make sure she still interacts every day with patients and their families.
“I look forward to advancing Shriners Children’s Northern California to be one of the highest-ranked pediatric centers in the nation for orthopedics and burns and to take our team from great to even greater.” — Wendi Thomas, RN, MSN, Director of Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive
Servant leadership drives Thomas, as she shares her time and knowledge with her community and her profession worldwide. She continues to sit on the board of directors for Homeless Services in Petaluma and is already seeking to engage in community opportunities as she settles into the Sacramento region.
Recognized for her skills and commitment to excellence, Thomas received the DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award, an international honor.
“The DAISY award is my proudest moment,” she notes. “Most DAISY awards are given for bedside and leadership roles recognizing nurses for their compassionate care throughout the world, but this Lifetime Achievement Award is the ultimate honor.”
Thomas has been a guest speaker at several state health care conferences and has taught nursing students in remote areas of Africa through World Telehealth Initiative.
“To be able to inspire nurses and other health care professionals at either staff or leadership levels is so fulfilling, and to be able to impart critical knowledge around the world is incredibly moving,” she says.
Looking ahead, Thomas concludes, “I look forward to advancing Shriners Children’s Northern California to be one of the highest-ranked pediatric centers in the nation for orthopedics and burns and to take our team from great to even greater.”
