Influential Woman · Nursing
Cheryl Lee
LPN, UnitedHealthcare
Houston, TX 77051
Her Story
About Cheryl
Cheryl's journey into healthcare began with aspirations of practicing law, but a pivotal conversation with her mother redirected her toward nursing. Over the course of her career, she has accumulated broad experience spanning intensive care units, emergency departments, hospice care, and leadership roles across multiple states. She places great value on compassion and patient-centered care.
Among her most meaningful professional endeavors is her initiative to establish a CNA program, a project deeply inspired by the memory of her late mother. The program is designed to open doors for underserved communities, with a particular focus on young pregnant women and individuals who lack a defined career direction. Her academic and professional accomplishments include receiving the prestigious SAGE Award during her tenure at UnitedHealthcare and earning a Daisy Award in recognition of nursing excellence. She has also contributed significantly to end-of-life care through her work with EverCare Hospice, operating under the UnitedHealthcare umbrella.
In addition to her clinical achievements, Cheryl has been recognized by the National Nursing Association. Outside of her professional life, she dedicates time to her family — especially her wide network of cousins — and actively volunteers at veteran and homeless shelters, where she contributes clothing donations and assists with food pantry operations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Cheryl
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong family foundation provided by my mother, aunt, and uncles. They instilled in me the importance of education, hard work, and financial responsibility, while my mother was especially strict about avoiding debt. I also admire a former nurse who taught me the importance of asking questions and being cautious and thorough in healthcare work.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was to “pick your battles.” Early in my nursing career at United Healthcare, I learned the importance of responding thoughtfully rather than reacting emotionally, especially when communicating with other RNs. A manager also taught me the value of setting healthy boundaries, which contributed significantly to my personal and professional growth. My mother’s selfless acts of kindness also shaped my values and taught me the importance of helping others whenever I can.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Believe in yourself, seek out every opportunity to learn and grow, and never hesitate to ask for help when you need it. The healthcare field is challenging, but with determination and a willingness to keep learning, you can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I see some of the biggest challenges in healthcare as patient throughput, nurse retention, and ensuring that empathy remains a core part of nursing education. Through my experience as a case manager, I’ve seen how important it is to balance efficiency with compassionate, patient-centered care. I believe there is a significant opportunity to strengthen hands-on training and prepare nurses to not only have the necessary clinical skills, but also genuinely care for the patients they serve.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are empathy, compassion, patient care, and professionalism. I carry these values with me both in my nursing career and in my personal life. I believe in treating every person with dignity and understanding, providing compassionate care to my patients, and giving back to underserved communities whenever I have the opportunity.
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