Oncology director Mary White to receive Spirit of Hope award
Western Baptist Hospital’s Oncology director Mary White, R.N., has been chosen as the recipient of the Spirit of Hope award from the American Cancer Society.
The award will be presented at the eighth annual Ladies’ Society Social, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at Lourdes hospital’s Marshall Nemer Pavilion. Tickets are $40 each. To purchase a ticket or make a donation, visit www.acsladiessocial.org or phone (270) 443-0384 by Tuesday, Aug. 9.
The Spirit of Hope award is given annually to recognize the outstanding efforts of cancer survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals who give hope, courage, strength, security and life inspiration to others.
“Mary White was chosen because she has devoted her entire professional career to the health, social well-being and spiritual care of patients afflicted with cancer,” said Lisa O’Rourke, Ladies Society Social co-chair. “She has served as an active member of the hospital’s cancer committee for the past 20 years and has been the ideal patient advocate while remaining humble and kind. As the go-to person for cancer care at Western Baptist Hospital, she commands respect and does not demand it. We are proud to honor Mary for her solid and unwavering commitment to cancer care.”
White has been employed at Western Baptist for 36 years, including 24 in oncology. She is a graduate of Paducah Tilghman High School, Western Kentucky University and Southern Illinois University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in health care management.
White has been married to Gus White for 37 years. They have two sons, Chris and Martin, and one granddaughter, Miya. She attends Broadway Church of Christ and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority.
White decided to become a nurse after being impressed with the care she received while being treated for rheumatic fever at age 4.
“I love being a nurse,” she said, “and I love what I do with cancer patients and their families. Our challenge is to provide hope and comfort during the ups and downs of this illness. If we can make even the difficult days some of their best days, then we have done our job.”