Celebrating excellence: Charlet Aton, AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Outstanding Team Member

Growing up in the Philippines, Charlet Aton witnessed firsthand the profound impact that compassionate nurses had on families during difficult times.

“I was very close to my grandparents, and my grandmother was frequently in and out of the hospital when I was young,” said Aton. “I became her chaperone, and my family taught me to advocate for her. I’ve always admired the healthcare providers who cared for her with such grace and kindness.”

This early exposure instilled in Aton a deep passion for caring for the elderly and sick patients.

“Listening, caring, and advocating for them became more than just an inspiration; it became my purpose and passion.”

After moving to the United States in 2015, Aton carried that calling with her and found herself as an integral member of the AdventHealth Shawnee Mission Nurse Float Pool.

“Nursing became more than a career for me; it became my way of serving others, offering comfort, and creating a ripple of healing that reaches beyond the bedside.”

Aton recalled one of the best days she had at work; a day when she said she was guided by a quote from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

“This philosophy has always guided me to treat others with kindness and compassion, regardless of what kind of day we’re having,” said Aton. “One day, I helped a nurse discharge a patient from Med-Surg. As she introduced myself, the patient lit up and greeted me with a warm smile. The then repeated a phrase I often say: ‘Charlet with a different spelling.’”

The patient had remembered Aton as her nurse from four years ago, during her first hospital admission after being diagnosed with cancer. She shared how scared she was then and how Aton's presence, support, and care made a lasting impact. Aton had even personally wheeled her down to the oncology department to ensure she was in good hands.

“Since then, the patient and her husband have nominated me multiple times for the Daisy Award,” said Aton. “She told her that every time she was admitted, she looked and hoped to see me again. She said it meant the world to her to find an uplifting nurse who made her feel seen and safe.”

A recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Team Member Award for AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Charlet Aton was chosen because of her dedication to caring for patients with compassion, skill, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. She has demonstrated our “Own It” service standard by mentoring and guiding new nurses, ensuring they receive the support needed to thrive and by building and maintaining orientation and new hire programs, creating recognition initiatives, and fostering a sense of belonging within her team, strengthening the work environment into a place of connection and growth.

“Being nominated and named an Outstanding Team Member was an overwhelming experience,” said Aton. “I was filled with gratitude and humbled by the recognition from people I deeply admire. It reminded me that every act of service, no matter how small, makes a difference.”

No matter how far she advances in her career, Aton will always reflect on the inspiration that she had from her grandmother, whose resilience, humility, and strength laid the foundation for the woman and nurse she is today.

Aton is also proud of her Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage, which has made her more connected to the diverse patient populations and teams she serves.

“Most people don’t realize that English is not my first language and that I speak with a Filipino accent,” said Aton. “At times, this has been a challenge, but it’s also part of what makes me stronger, more empathetic, and culturally aware.”