Celebrating Excellence: Ashley Young, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Outstanding Team Member

When Ashley Young, onboarding and training programs specialist with AdventHealth Shawnee Mission’s Nutrition Services department, discovered she was the recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Team Member Award, she admitted to being in shock.

“I’ve never won any kind of award, it felt great to be nominated,” said Young. “I try my best to help people each day; by getting this nomination, I have at least partially succeeded in that endeavor.”

Young says that it was her father who inspired her to be the best person she can be.

“My dad was one of those people that could walk into a room and make friends with almost everyone in there. He was always such a positive person and genuinely cared about people. I try to be like him in all of my interactions with people.”

Young has always wanted to help people in one way or another. Prior to making the transition to healthcare, she taught chemistry for 8 years. Deciding to leave teaching in public education was a turning point for her both personally and professionally.

“Teaching becomes so much of your identity that it was an incredibly hard decision to make,” said Young. “The burnout I was feeling was so heavy and my mental health took a huge dip, so I know it was the right decision. However, I still have a teacher’s heart and use that in my current role to train others.”

When interviewing for her role with AdventHealth in 2022, Young felt like this is where she was supposed to be. After learning more about the culture, she really enjoyed the focus on whole-person healthcare and I can appreciate their Service Standards of Keep Me Safe, Love Me, Make it Easy, and Own It.

Young stands out for her dedication, passion, and commitment to others. She ensures seamless and supportive experiences for team members, takes ownership of new initiatives, and leads community support efforts. Her contributions embody AdventHealth’s mission of extending the healing ministry of Christ, making her a deserving recipient of the Outstanding Team Member Award.

“My team really believes in my abilities to educate and train people,” said Young. “They’re my cheerleaders and biggest supporters. When I or the team face challenges, we work together to try and solve those issues head-on.”