Mrs. Thurston is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and manager at the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham UAB Hospital-Highlands.
HELENA, AL, November 02, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kesha Thurston, DNP, has been inducted into Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
Mrs. Thurston is a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) and manager at the University of Alabama (UAB) at Birmingham UAB Hospital-Highlands. Joining her alma mater in 2016, she oversees over 45 CRNAs, manages staffing, and ensures that all patient rooms are covered. She is also responsible for various other duties, such as ordering and maintaining equipment, including airway emergency equipment, and ordering ultrasound for all anesthesia within UAB. Moreover, Mrs. Thurston began teaching as an adjunct assistant professor in the UAB school of nursing, starting as an assistant professor between 2020 and 2021 and now as an adjunct assistant professor in the UAB School of Nursing.
In addition to her primary responsibilities, Mrs. Thurston co-chairs UAB Hospital-Highlands' growth resource and outreach for women committee. Looking forward to continued success, she aims to use her platform to foster positive relationships, motivate others, promote diversity, and ensure an inclusive workforce. Purposeful in building a diverse and inclusive team, Mrs. Thurston's goal is to establish a culture of excellence and ongoing education. She also aims to become recognized as a national speaker and attain a senior executive role within her industry.
A dedicated civil advocate, Mrs. Thurston and her colleague LaDana Williams-Davis established the Kesha Thurston and LaDonna Williams Davis endowed scholarship for nurse anesthesia to give back to the profession. This initiative began in 2022 and provides funding to UAB school of nursing students currently enrolled in or admitted to the nurse anesthesia program who are in good academic standing. They hope that it will increase diversity within the nurse anesthesia profession.
In preparation for her career, Mrs. Thurston garnered a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Nurse Anesthetist, a second master's degree in health care safety and quality, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice from the UAB at Birmingham in 1998, 2006, 2019 and 2021, respectively. She also received several designations in her field, including as a certified registered nurse anesthetist through the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, as a registered nurse through the Alabama Board of Nursing, and as an advanced practice registered nurse through the Alabama Board of Nursing. Moreover, Mrs. Thurston received credentials as a lean six sigma green belt through UAB at Birmingham.
Active in her professional community, Mrs. Thurston is a member of the International Society of Female Professionals. She is also a member of the professional development committee of the Alabama Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
Mrs. Thurston believes her continuous efforts to improve and become a better version of herself have been instrumental in her success. Consequently, she was recognized several times in 2023 for her leadership and expertise. She received a Nurse Excellence Award from UAB Medicine and was named a Patient Experience Hero by the UAB Office of Patient Experience and Engagement. Mrs. Thurston also received a Padma Award. Sponsored by the UAB Commission on the Status of Women, the Padma Award recognizes those who go above and beyond to persevere in support of underrepresented populations and acknowledge the extraordinary work, contributions, and accomplishments of UAB faculty, staff, and students.
About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Marquis celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2023, and Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
# # #