Her Story
About Dana
Dana Thomas, LPN, has built a career in healthcare spanning more than 25 years, beginning in 1998 as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and nurse technician before advancing into nursing and healthcare business development. Today, she serves as an Account Development Liaison with Chapters Health System, where she partners with physicians, hospitals, and long-term care facilities to educate providers about hospice services and help patients and families navigate complex care decisions. Drawing on her clinical background and passion for patient advocacy, she is dedicated to ensuring individuals receive the most appropriate level of care while supporting caregivers through every stage of the healthcare journey.
Dana's career reflects a steady commitment to professional growth and lifelong learning. Her educational journey began with an associate degree, followed by completing her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program and ultimately earning a bachelor's degree in Health and Science in 2010. Becoming the first person in her family to earn a bachelor's degree remains one of her proudest accomplishments, reflecting her determination to create new opportunities for herself while inspiring those around her. Throughout her career, she has combined clinical expertise with relationship-building skills to bridge the gap between healthcare providers, patients, and families.
Grounded in integrity, compassion, and service, Dana believes that honest communication and patient advocacy are the foundation of quality healthcare. She credits much of her success to the strong women who mentored and encouraged her throughout her career, including her aunt and other influential leaders who helped shape her professional path. Passionate about mentoring others, she encourages aspiring healthcare professionals to pursue their goals with determination, work hard, and always follow through on their commitments. Her dedication to improving patient experiences continues to make a meaningful impact within the communities she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dana
01What do you attribute your success to?
Some of the women that have helped me along the way, teaching me and molding me, and not giving up, pursuing my dreams. Even though things got really hard and difficult. I am still able to obtain the things that I needed to obtain to be where I am today. I had some good leaders help me, not just my aunt, but a couple of good influential leaders that helped me along the way.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice that I've ever received is, especially in the business development side, is do what you say you're going to do, follow through. Always be honest, and don't get into the gossip and different things like that. Keep your head down, do your job, and help others along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice for each woman, especially women that are starting out in a career, nothing's too small. You can obtain anything with lots of hard work and effort. Don't ever think that you can't do something, because you can. You can do it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenges are, you know, being a liaison, you have to be the best, you know, you have to be number one, you have to be that easy button. That is a challenge sometimes, because other things can hold you back from doing that. Our biggest challenges are managed Medicare, I would say, and not being able to get the patients the proper care that is needed.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity's a big thing, just because somebody doesn't see you do it, what you do in private represents the person that you are. And integrity, being honest. I'm just being an advocate for people.
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