The nominees are both members of Synergy, Norton Healthcare’s African American employee resource group, and are examples of commitment to the community.

Published: February 14, 2020

Norton Healthcare has nominated two employees for the YMCA of Greater Louisville’s Black Achievers Awards Celebration on Saturday, Feb. 22. The nominees are both members of Synergy, Norton Healthcare’s African American employee resource group, and are examples of commitment to the community.

Jennifer Terry, director, learning and development, Norton Healthcare, has seen firsthand how the YMCA’s Black Achievers program can support the community’s youth. As a Black Achiever student from 1990 to 1994, Jennifer was a Youth Achiever of the Year finalist in 1994. She also earned the University of Louisville’s Woodford R. Porter scholarship through the program.

“It enabled me to go to school debt-free,” Jennifer said. “As a result, I had the honor of being the first person in my family to graduate from college.”

In her role at Norton Healthcare, she has the opportunity to teach leadership skills to staff as well as others through community partnerships such as Ignite Louisville.

“Helping to build strong leaders is my passion,” Jennifer said.

Jennifer has spent many years volunteering at various organizations that support child development, including the Jefferson County Public Schools’ Backpack of Success Skills presentations, where she coaches fifth-grade students on their presentations.

“Working with children while they are young helps them make smarter decisions and shows them possibilities. It connects them to the future and shows them how they can contribute,” Jennifer said.

Felecia Patterson, supervisor, staffing and benchmarking, Norton Children’s Hospital, has a passion for youth mentorship. It started during her participation in the Black Achiever program from 1992 to 1997, where she was a Youth Achiever of the Year finalist in 1997. She now volunteers as a mentor for a variety of community organizations and programs through the Jefferson County Public Schools and the Muhammad Ali Center.

“Mentoring youth helps promote confidence, hard work and direction for youth as they navigate their life,” Felecia said.

In her role with Norton Children’s Hospital, she works with data to help promote policy and procedure best-practice improvements. She also serves as the chair of Synergy. With the support of other Synergy members, Felecia develops programs such as Unity Jam, which is in its fourth year of providing children and families with important back to school supplies and resources.

“My life’s goal is to live each day as best as I can and be pleasing in God’s sight,” Felecia said.

Nominees are requested to serve as mentors as part of the YMCA of Greater Louisville’s Black Achievers youth program. In this role, they will support youth in their higher education and career pursuits as well as personal development.