For nearly 30 years, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance in Boise has honored women who have excelled and made outstanding contributions in their fields.
St. Luke’s leaders Brie Sandow and Alicia Young are among this year’s Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) recipients. The awards have been given annually since 1993.
Sandow, the chief operating officer/chief nursing officer at St. Luke’s Meridian, and Young, the ambulatory chief nursing officer for the health system, join a group of more than 60 women connected to St. Luke’s who have received the TWIN distinction.
“I am humbled and honored to have been selected as an honoree for this outstanding award,” Young said. “Being a leader in the nursing industry, serving my team is only one aspect of my job. The other part is providing a safe space for those I work with to include our front-line nurses and offering opportunities for open and transparent dialogue.”
Young, originally from Idaho, joined St. Luke’s in 2011, working in pediatric urology. She quickly rose through leadership ranks, moving into a practice manager role before serving as senior director.
In addition to her operational role, Young has been pivotal in St. Luke’s participation in the Physician Leadership Institute program, launching St. Luke’s Urology men’s health initiatives, leading many quality and infection prevention programs and establishing the first Ambulatory Nursing Shared Leadership Council and Medication Administration Safety Committee in 2017.
“It truly takes a team to do what we all do,” Young said. “If I could, I would have nominated my entire ambulatory nursing team ... .”
Sandow, also from Idaho, joined St. Luke’s in 2002. During her 20 years with the health system, she has served in multiple leadership positions and guided several critical initiatives.
“The TWIN honor is a humbling recognition of the contribution I have made to St. Luke’s throughout my career,” Sandow said. “It has always been my intent to serve patients, staff and the organization in the ways that matter most, regardless of my role.”
Before taking on the COO/CNO position, Sandow was instrumental in supporting operations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic in her previous role as director of the enterprise resource and staffing office. She has also served as president and president-elect of the American Nurses Association’s Idaho chapter and is currently serving on the national ANA Board of Directors.
“While the TWIN award indicates that my choices have been sound and my efforts worthwhile, it is also indicative of conferred responsibility,” Sandow said. “The trailblazing women that came before me created a legacy in our community that must be preserved for the next generation of women.”