MHI alumna making a lasting impact on children with life-limiting conditions

Tracy Leonard-Warner knows as well as anyone that tomorrow is never promised. As the executive director at Ryan House, she works with children whose complex medical conditions will likely not allow them to reach adulthood.

“We’re all about making memories for our kids and our families,” Leonard-Warner said.

Although there are physically and mentally challenging days that come with working alongside children whose lives will be shortened, Leonard-Warner strives to make the Ryan House facility a “magical” place for not only the children but their families and caregivers as well.

“This is the kind of environment where I thrive,” Leonard-Warner said. “I love being able to have relationships with our kids and their families.”

The two-time ASU alum says getting to this place in her career took persistence and a willingness to step outside her comfort zone.

After earning her bachelor’s from ASU in 1994, Leonard-Warner spent nearly 20 years running the music therapy program at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center. She loved the job but was ready for a new challenge.

“At that point in my career I felt like I needed a better understanding of leadership in health care and how to lead change,” Leonard-Warner said.

For that, she returned to her alma mater after finding the Master’s in Healthcare Innovation, a program that perfectly suited her needs. She graduated in 2011.

In addition to the change leadership component, Leonard-Warner said the financial leadership education she received in the MHI program was key. A big part of her role at Ryan House is raising money to provide quality services for the children and their families. Most of the services Ryan House provides are not reimbursed by insurance, which makes fundraising a crucial part of the job.

Ryan House raises over $3 million annually so the families don’t have to pay anything out of pocket for receiving respite care.

Below, Leonard-Warner reflects on her time at Edson College and gives current students some advice to use as they navigate through their degree program.

Question: How did your degree program help you in achieving and maintaining the position you have now?

Answer: The MHI degree is all about leading change in health care. I now lead an organization that is one of only three in the US. I have an opportunity to not only help Arizona families receive better care for their seriously ill children but an opportunity to help change health care for kids and families in other communities as well.

Q: What is a favorite memory from your time in your program?

A: The interdisciplinary aspect of the program. I was fortunate to be in a cohort that was so diverse in disciplines, backgrounds and geographical locations that this helped to be able to see challenges in different ways.

Q: What advice would you give students who are currently enrolled in the program?

A: Use the opportunity to network with those in other disciplines than yours. To truly effect change in health care, it will take people from all different backgrounds and expertise.

Q: Are you satisfied with where you are at in your career?

A: Yes. I truly feel that the things I have done in my career and the things I have studied have led me to this place and this position.

This story was written by Max Baker.