Being a hospital administrator invariably entails organization, a keen sense of the proverbial "big picture," and, perhaps most of all, time-management skills. Considering the spate of staff and physicians, the deluge of ever-shifting regulations and red tape, and the sheer volume of tasks, it's a wonder that anyone has the tenacity required for such a demanding position. For Dedra Whitaker, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Morristown-Hamblen Hospital, meeting all of the aforementioned demands on a daily basis can only work when she rises before dawn—every wearying day of the week.

 

"I get up at 5:00 every morning," said Whitaker, laughing. "I have a lot to do, so I have to get up early." And without this early reveille, she would not have time for anything but work. "Honestly, my key to having a personal life is that I get up and get started so early every day. It's funny, if you get up at 5 o'clock, that's a real advantage. I just try to be very organized and keep a positive attitude."

 

This keen sense of discipline has certainly paid off for Whitaker, who is in charge of a staff of around 450 people at Morristown-Hamblen. 

 

"I spend most of the day in meetings," explained Whitaker. "I'm in charge of all of the clinical areas in the hospital: nursing, radiology, and the cancer center pharmacy, for example. We're very busy all day long dealing with customer service issues, quality issues, constantly meeting about new regulations and new requirements, making sure that we keep our quality at the level it needs to be.

 

"I guess the biggest challenge right now is the unknown factor that comes along with healthcare reform," continued Whitaker. "You know, there are just so many new regulations coming at us. So just keeping up with all that, trying to make sure that we have the funding and the manpower to do the things we need to do is the biggest challenge. It's a constant struggle to keep up with today's regulatory environment.

 

"Our ultimate goal is to be the best, and our vision is to be the best healthcare system for patients to receive care, for employees to work, and for physicians to practice medicine. That's a lot of work. So I spend the usual day in meetings and talking to people—making sure that we have everything in place to do the best job that we can for our patients." 

 

Following the familiar bootstrap narrative of the American Dream, Whitaker worked her way through Morristown-Hamblen's ranks, starting her career as a labor and delivery nurse in 1987. From this position, she painstakingly climbed the ladder to success. During this step-by-step process, Whitaker continually bolstered her education, honed her skills, and strategically worked toward ascending into management.

 

"If someone wanted to have a career like mine, my suggestion would first be to keep going to school," explained Whitaker, who holds a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee and a master's degree in Health Care Administration acquired from the University of St. Francis—acquired while working at Morristown-Hamblen.

 

"Getting that education is possible, even when you're working," enthused Whitaker. "I took my classes one at a time, and I finally got through.

 

"I would say that you should be as proactive in your hospital as you can be," Whitaker continued. "Volunteer for committees, volunteer to do the things that nobody else wants to do, and make yourself indispensible.  You've got to be really focused on patient care. I think if you do that and you acquire the educational credentials, you can accomplish a lot. It's also very important to make the work environment the best it can be for your employees."

 

Above and beyond her demanding job, Whitaker finds time for a rich and satisfying personal life. With her longtime husband, Gary, she has four children and two grandchildren—all of whom reside in the Morristown area. Her hobbies include scrapbooking and spending time at the lake. She also finds time to volunteer as a board member for Knoxville's Helen Ross McNabb Center, a nonprofit alcohol and substance abuse treatment facility. "I am very involved with them and feel very strongly about their cause," said Whitaker.

 

Asked where she sees herself a decade from now, Whitaker laughingly responded that she hopes to be retired and on her houseboat by then. "I love the area. I grew up in Morristown, and I was actually born at this hospital. I love my job, I love this hospital, I love the people I work with, and my kids and grandchildren are here. Really, I'm blessed. I'm exactly where I want to be right now."

 

For Whitaker, a job that might seem daunting and excessively demanding for others is a source of immense satisfaction. With her position as CNO, she continues to make Morristown-Hamblen a more accommodating workplace for her staff—a task that she is proud to perform.