Lori Penner Young, BSN ’85
Lori Penner Young, BSN ’85, exemplifies the compassion, dedication and leadership honored by the Sinclair School of Nursing Humanitarian Award. Early in her career in the Medical Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital, Young distinguished herself by tackling challenging cases and mentoring new nurses and students. She later worked in the Cardiac Catheterization Lab and collaborated on research with Dr. Greg Flaker and Dr. Richard Webel.
Young served for 13 years as a school nurse at Logan-Rogersville Upper Elementary, providing daily student care, supporting families and promoting a safe, healthy learning environment. She lives in Rogersville, Missouri, with her husband, Will. She, her husband and their two daughters are proud University of Missouri graduates, reflecting a strong family legacy at Mizzou.
For the past decade, Young has served as medical director and volunteer medical coordinator for Project HOPE, supporting underserved communities in Nicaragua and Haiti. She organizes medical clinics, recruits health care teams, ensures essential supplies and collaborates with local physicians. She often travels to provide hands-on care while training teams to serve effectively and compassionately, including facilitating treatment for children from Haiti in the United States. Her work includes community health education, with a focus on hygiene and women’s health, as part of these international missions.
Through decades of clinical excellence, humanitarian service and mentorship, Young has touched countless lives. Her dedication to improving health and well-being, both locally and abroad, makes her a truly deserving recipient of the Sinclair School of Nursing Humanitarian of the Year award.