Hannah White ’24 first developed an interest in healthcare while working at a nursing facility at age 14. “I loved having the chance to connect with my patients one-on-one,” recalls White, who is set to graduate?from UNH’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) with a bachelor’s degree in nursing this spring.
Upon graduation, White will have the opportunity to do just that — and much more — as a nurse at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital (WDH) in her hometown of Dover, New Hampshire. She was offered a position on the medical-surgical unit, where she’ll work with?oncology, orthopedic and comfort care patients,?after completing an internship at WDH as a Flynn Fellow this summer.
Founded by Fred Flynn in honor of his wife, who died of ovarian cancer in 2013, the Flynn Fellowship is a highly competitive program that places nursing students in paid internships at leading cancer hospitals. By increasing nursing students’ exposure to the field of oncology, Flynn aims to elevate the quality of care for oncology patients and their families as the fellows enter the workforce.
With more than 500 students competing for 48 fellowships this year, each and every Flynn Fellow is among the best and brightest — and White is no exception. “Hannah is a perfect example; she excelled in her internship at Wentworth-Douglass, demonstrating expertise and a clinical grasp of what it means to create a culture of caring,” says Flynn.
While White had the academic record, empathy and passion for oncology that the selection committee looks for in all fellowship awardees, she exceeded expectations during her internship. “Hannah’s Flynn Fellowship project was amazing,” recalls Kelly Grady, director of nursing education, research and innovation at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. Her project, titled?“A Culture of Caring in Radiation Oncology,” explored the cultural context of patient care, something that’s “simply not an element commonly considered by nursing students,” says Grady. “Hannah’s foresight and deep thinking show her maturity in undertaking such an incredible project,” she adds.
Given White’s impressive skill set, it’s no surprise that she was offered the chance to be part of the nursing team at WDH upon completion of her internship. “She has a great ability to connect with others- patients and co-workers,” says Rhonda Board, CHHS Interim Director of Nursing. “Beyond that, the importance of that deep orientation towards caring for others cannot be overstated,” says Board.
Perhaps that’s because White has been on the receiving end of excellent nursing care. “I remember a nurse holding my hand through a procedure when I was a child. That act of kindness was small but so powerful,” White says. As a nurse at WDH,?she looks forward to delivering superior care along with the compassion that meant so much to her as a patient.
