THAINA DOS SANTOS JENSEN | 20 Under 40
Written and compiled by KELLY POTTER and LAUREN JURGENSEN | Photos by JOHN BURNS
Thaina is an acute care registered nurse at Stormont Vail Health, where she leads the surgical services team, chairs several committees and strives to improve safety and inclusivity.
Thaina is active with the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, Missouri-Kansas PeriAnesthesia Nurses Association and Kansas State Nurses Association. She is a past recipient of the Excellence in Nursing Practice Award and Rising Star Award.
Thaina mentors students at Washburn University and Baker University and is the founder of Nurses Topeka, a community group that supports healthcare workers. She promotes health equity, safety and diversity through her work on national legislative proposals for environmental gas exposures and her leadership in the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) Committee.
What makes you unique?
I tend to challenge the status quo. I love to identify new and better ways of doing things. I don’t give up easily if my unique idea is rejected. I repackage it and have another go at it. It allows me to be persistent in the face of obstacles.
What do you love most about your work?
Every day is different. I see different patients every day, which means I get to interact with different people and their personalities. It allows me to meet a diverse, ever-changing population of people in my community, helping me grow as an individual.
What’s your leadership style?
Being transformational, as well as being a servant. I switch between them depending on what is needed in the moment. I like to focus on the growth of my coworkers, department and organization. My goal is to build long-term momentum and see the value in prioritizing employee development and engagement. By focusing on the growth and development of employees, it can create a positive workplace culture that inspires individuals to perform at their best.
