New faculty spotlight: Trina White

Trina White is a new faculty member at UNMC.

• Name: Trina White
• Hometown: Yankton, South Dakota
• Title and department at UNMC: Assistant professor, Department of Health Services Research and Administration, UNMC College of Public Health

Research interests:

• Leadership impact in health care and public health culture, leadership in organizational and systems transformation, diversity in leadership
• Health equity, health equity in public policy
• Emergency preparedness in health care and public health, aligning strategic planning and preparedness, leadership in emergency preparedness and response, leadership and organizational risk
• Aligning health care and public health systems, alignment in emergency preparedness and response
• Workforce sustainability in both clinical and leadership roles in health care and public health, the impact of leadership, culture, diversity and mentoring programs in workforce and leadership development and retention, addressing burnout in both front line and leadership roles
• Access to care, the impact of different models of care on access and health equity

How I fell in love with my field: I started in health care as a clinician because I wanted to help people. I moved into leadership roles because I realized I could help more people if I could support front line teams caring for patients.

Education:

• MBA, University of Nebraska at Omaha
• MS in physical therapy, University of South Dakota, Vermillion, South Dakota
• BA in biology with minors in chemistry and psychology, Mount Marty College, Yankton, South Dakota
• Fellow, American College of HealthCare Executives
• Fellow, Medical Group Management Association

Memberships:

• American College of Healthcare Executives
• Medical Group Management Association
• Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals
• Association of University Programs in Health Administration

Three things people may not know about me:

• I am working on my DrPH with UNMC and anticipate graduating in 2024. Can’t wait.
• I once had an opportunity to travel across Germany playing with a jazz band. What an experience.
• My dad’s career was with fish and wildlife, so not only did we get to live all over the country, I also developed a love for anything outdoors, including hiking and camping.