Karen White-Edwards, BSN, RN, MBA, CNOR

President-Elect (One to be Elected)

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Karen Y. White-Edwards, MBA, BSN, RN, CNOR, is the Nursing Director for Perioperative Services over Main 3 and Dunn 6, at Houston Methodist Hospital, Texas. She earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of South Florida, Tampa, and a Master of Business Administration in health care management from Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, Texas.

White-Edwards has been a perioperative nurse for 34 years and a member of AORN for 31 years. She is a member of

• AORN of Greater Houston (2014-present),
• eChapter (2023-present),
• the Texas Collaboration of periOperative Registered Nurses (TCORN) (2014-present),
• the Clinical Nurse Educator Specialty Assembly (2015-present),
• the Leadership Specialty Assembly (2014-present),
• the Ambulatory Surgery Specialty Assembly (2014-present), and
• the Sterile Processing/Supply Chain Management Specialty Assembly (2021-present).

White-Edwards has attended Congress 10 times in the past 10 years, eight times as a delegate.

White-Edwards has received

• a Houston Chronicle Top 200 Nurses in Houston Award (2023),
• a Family Time Crisis and Counseling Center Women of Achievement (Medical) Award (2022),
• a Good Samaritan Foundation Excellence in Nursing Award (2022),
• a Houston Methodist Hospital Humanitas Award (2022), and
• a Houston Chronicle Top 150 Nurses in Houston Award (2021).

Highlights of White-Edwards’s service to AORN include that she is

• a mentor for AORN of Greater Houston (2023-present) and
• a member of the AORN of Greater Houston DEI Committee (2021-present).

She has been

• a member of the Board of Directors (2021-2023),
• a member of the Finance and Audit Committee (2022-2023),
• a member of the DEI Board Committee (2021-2022),
• Board liaison to the Continuing Education Approval Committee (2021-2023),
• Board liaison to the Sterile Processing/Supply Chain Management Specialty Assembly (2021-2023),
• a member of the Policy Committee (2021-2022),
• a member of the AORN Editorial Board Committee (2021-2022), and
• a member of the Board Membership Task Force (2021-2022).

In other leadership roles, White-Edwards is

• the director of oversight for the Houston Methodist Hospital Perioperative Council and Patient Safety Committee (2023-present) and
• the nursing director of oversight for the Houston Methodist Hospital Ambulatory Outpatient Department and Pre-Op to OR hand-off process (2023-present).

She has been

• a facilitator for the annual Perioperative Change in Patient Condition Seminar, Houston Methodist Hospital (2015-2023);
• a facilitator for “DEI: Together We Grow” session, Houston Methodist Hospital (2021-2022); and
• president of the Competency & Credentialing Institute (2014-2015).

In her community, White-Edwards is

• the first vice president and program chair of Alpha Alpha Kappa Omega Chapter (2022-present) and
• program chair of Voter Registration and Candidate’s Forum, “Connecting With the Candidates” (2022-present).

She has been

• co-chair of a community education event on gun safety with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office (2022-2023);
• co-chair of Black in Business Expose, Alpha Kappa Alpha Houston Metropolitan Cluster Area (2021-2023); and
• co-chair of Breast Cancer Awareness and Women’s Health Symposium, Alpha Kappa Alpha Houston Metropolitan Cluster Area (2021-2022).

Election Statement

As we move forward, our profession faces numerous challenges and opportunities. The health care landscape is evolving rapidly, and it is imperative that AORN remains at the forefront of change. We must adapt to new technologies, emerging evidence-based practices, and evolving patient needs. To achieve this, I propose three critical pillars that will guide my tenure as AORN President-elect: Advocacy, Education, and Collaboration. Advocacy lies at the core of our mission. We must continue to champion the role of perioperative nurses as indispensable members of the health care team. I will work tirelessly to advocate for improved workplace conditions, fair compensation, and safe staffing levels. Together, we will ensure that the voice of perioperative nursing is heard loud and clear, both at the national and international levels. Education is the cornerstone of professional growth and excellence. In an era of rapid advancements, we must equip our members with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide the highest quality of care. I pledge to enhance educational opportunities by fostering collaboration with academic institutions, supporting the development of evidence-based practice guidelines, and promoting lifelong learning through accessible and innovative platforms. Collaboration is vital for our collective success. We must foster partnerships with other nursing organizations, health care associations, and industry stakeholders. By working together, we can amplify our influence, share best practices, and address common challenges. I will actively seek out these collaborative opportunities, encouraging interdisciplinary dialogue and fostering a culture of inclusivity within AORN.

Furthermore, I recognize the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our organization. I am committed to fostering an environment where every member feels valued, respected, and empowered enough to contribute their unique perspectives. By embracing diversity, we will enrich our collective knowledge and drive innovation in the perioperative nursing field. In conclusion, I am ready to serve as your AORN President-elect. With a passionate commitment to advocacy, education, and collaboration, I will work tirelessly to advance the profession of perioperative nursing. Together we will navigate the challenges ahead, seize the opportunities that arise, and continue to provide exceptional care to our patients. I humbly ask for your support and the opportunity to lead AORN into a future that is brighter and more promising than ever before. Together let us build a stronger, united perioperative nursing community that thrives on excellence, compassion, and innovation. Thank you, and may we journey towards a prosperous future together!