Inaugural Global Health Humanitarian award presented to Leanna Ross

Earlier this month, World Telehealth Initiative (WTI) proudly presented its inaugural Global Health Humanitarian Award to Leanna Ross, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, MEDSURG-BC, whose dedication to supporting and empowering nurses is strengthening patient care across the globe. Surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, Leanna accepted the award at a celebration event at St. Patricks Hospital in her home town of Missoula, presented by WTI CEO Sharon Allen.

Leanna is a nurse educator with Providence Health in Montana, where she has built her career around teaching, mentorship, and advancing clinical excellence. Through WTI, her commitment to nursing education has expanded far beyond her home state, connecting her with healthcare professionals in Kenya, Togo, Bhutan, and other low-resource settings around the world.

282,000 Virtual Miles of Service

As a WTI volunteer, Leanna has virtually traveled an incredible 282,000 virtual miles to share her expertise with partners worldwide, which is the equivalent of circling the globe more than eleven times. She develops lectures on vital topics at the request of hospitals and clinics in low-resource areas, delivered via telehealth. She tailors each lecture to meet the needs and setting of the hospital and local team she is delivering it to. From her home in Missoula, she leads educational sessions focus on practical, high-impact topics that are requested by the receiving hospital such as: Sepsis recognition and response, Stroke identification, Infection prevention, and Wound care. These are essential skills that improve patient outcomes in low-resource settings, where access to continuing education is limited.

“Connecting with my colleagues in Bhutan, Kenya, and Togo reminds me that we are partners in this work of caring. As I log in, I see a room full, standing room only, of students, highly skilled nurses, physicians, and other healthcare professionals eager to learn. Local resources are limited so everyone joins with a genuine desire to enhance knowledge and skills… We learn from each other, and we share in the mission to promote human health across the globe. This is nursing, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Honoring Impact That Reaches Across the Globe

The Global Health Humanitarian Award recognizes volunteer clinicians who go above and beyond to make a measurable impact in global healthcare. Leanna’s work exemplifies the dedication, passion and generosity of WTI volunteers.

From Montana to hospitals thousands of miles away, she demonstrates how one nurse, with commitment, creativity, and heart, can support clinicians and elevate care for patients across the world. Please join us in celebrating Leanna Ross and the extraordinary impact she continues to make through global collaboration.