Teri L. White

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University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center

Teri L. White, BS, RN, CDCES, serves as transitional nurse navigator at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in LaPlata, where she has established herself as a dedicated community health educator.

Based at the hospital’s 5 Garrett Ave. location, White’s daily responsibilities focus on teaching community members about self-care, medical conditions and available local resources. Her position allows her to extend her health care expertise beyond the hospital walls.

“I am a nurse in a community hospital and on a daily basis my job is to teach people who live in our community about how to take care of themselves, about their medical conditions and the resources available to them in the community,” White stated in her Community Outreach award nomination.

White’s approach emphasizes personal connection with patients. She concentrates on understanding individuals’ unique circumstances and on helping them identify their motivations for improved health outcomes.

“The reason I am truly here is to listen, see people where they are and for who they are, and help them to determine their strengths and why it is important for them to be healthier, for them,” she explained.

Although community events participation isn’t required in her role, White voluntarily attends them regularly with supervisory support. These outreach opportunities allow her to connect with neighbors, develop relationships and facilitate open communication, effectively breaking down barriers to health care access.

White’s community engagement stems from her self-described identity as “an educator at heart and for life.” Her volunteer participation at community events demonstrates her commitment to preventative health education and accessible health care information.

At the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center, White has created a practice focused on personalized health care education. Her work bridges gaps between institutional medical care and community health needs by providing support, education and resource connections to community members.

White holds a Bachelor of Science degree and maintains credentials as a registered nurse and certified diabetes care and education specialist. Her professional background combines clinical nursing expertise with specialized knowledge in diabetes management and patient education.

Through her position at the community hospital, White continues working to improve health outcomes for residents of Charles County, one patient interaction at a time.

Honoree profiles were written using an artificial intelligence program and supported by honoree nominations, applications and letters of recommendation. Each profile was reviewed, fact-checked and edited for accuracy by The Daily Record’s editorial staff.