Nurse-led effort brings inclusive hair care to patients at AdventHealth for Women and Children

“Patients and families felt seen. They felt cared for in a deeper way.”

For some patients, feeling like themselves again starts with something as simple as washing their hair. At AdventHealth for Women and Children, nurses saw how much that moment mattered — and worked to make it more inclusive for every patient.

“Our patients spend days, weeks, sometimes even longer with us,” said Kysha Alexis, a registered nurse. “Something as simple as being able to wash your hair and feel like yourself again can make a real difference. It brings comfort during a time that can feel overwhelming.”

But standard hospital hair care products were not designed to meet the needs of all patients, particularly those with textured hair, including many patients of color. What may seem like a small detail became a meaningful part of comfort and dignity for patients and families navigating long or difficult hospital stays.

What followed was a nurse-led effort to bring more inclusive hair care options to the bedside, helping patients feel more comfortable, confident and cared for during their time in the hospital.

Alexis and Teyana Ross, who is also a registered nurse, are among those who helped bring the effort to life. Both care for pediatric patients at AdventHealth for Children and have spent years building meaningful connections with the families they walk alongside.

“Hair is a part of how we present ourselves and how we feel,” Alexis said. “At AdventHealth, we focus on whole-person care. This is one way we can care for more than a diagnosis and support how our patients feel as they heal.”

Through AdventHealth’s shared governance process, nurses brought the concern forward, working alongside leaders to find a solution. Alexis and Ross were among those involved, helping trial new products and advocate for change.

After careful evaluation, the team introduced new inclusive hair care kits at AdventHealth for Children and AdventHealth for Women in Orlando. The kits include shampoo, conditioner and treatments designed to support a range of hair types.

For Ross, the impact was immediate and deeply personal.

“When we started using the new products, you could see the difference right away,” she said. “Patients and families felt seen. They felt cared for in a deeper way.”

For some patients, especially those who spend extended time in the hospital, those moments can make all the difference. Children recovering from surgery, oncology patients navigating chemotherapy treatment, and new mothers after delivery often face long or physically demanding stays, where even small routines like washing their hair can help restore comfort and a sense of self.

“You need that reset,” Alexis said. “It helps you feel better, physically and emotionally.”

The change also sparked something within the nursing team itself. Nurses began sharing techniques, learning from one another and even practicing new skills outside of work.

“One of our nurses led a class to teach others how to care for different hair types,” Ross said. “People were excited to learn. It brought us closer as a team.”

The effort shows what can happen when nurses are invited into the conversation.

Through shared governance, nurses work alongside leaders to help shape decisions that affect patient care. That collaboration played a key role in bringing this initiative to life.

“Our nurses are closest to our patients and families, and they understand what truly makes a difference in their experience,” said Britney Benitez, chief nursing officer at AdventHealth Orlando. “When we listen and act on their insights, we create care that is more compassionate, more inclusive and more reflective of our commitment to whole-person care.”

For Ross, that commitment is what makes nursing so meaningful.

“Nursing is about connection,” she said. “It’s about being there for people and caring for them in the moments they need it most.”

Alexis agrees.

“Everyone deserves to feel seen and cared for,” she said. “If something as simple as this can help a patient feel more like themselves, then it’s worth it.”

Listen to Teyana Ross and Kysha Alexis discuss the initiative during their recent interview with 90.7 WMFE radio.

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