
A heartfelt congratulation goes out to Adriane Randolph, Coordinator Procurement & Accounting at WashU Nephrology, on earning her Master of Health Administration degree from McKendree University on May 9, 2025.
A long-time member of the WashU community, Adriane was with the Division of Comparative Medicine for 22 years before joining our division in 2018. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Business-Accounting from Lindenwood University, St. Louis, MO, and is a proud member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society.
Adriane had always dreamed of pursuing further education, but balancing a full-time job and family responsibilities, including raising two sons, left little time for that goal. Then, in 2020, everything changed when her mother was diagnosed with cancer. Before she passed, her mother made Adriane promise that she would go back to school and earn her master’s degree.
Despite the challenges, Adriane kept her promise, but admits that it was “extremely hard and stressful.” She often stayed up until the early morning hours, researching and writing papers, and then had to be at work the next day. “I wanted to quit several times, but I could hear my mom’s voice telling me to keep going forward.”
Adriane chose to get her degree in the field of health administration as a way to honor her mother’s memory. Her goal is to ensure that older adults receive the support they need, both physically and legally.
“Elder care is so important. Many older adults face unique challenges, from complex medical needs to a feeling of isolation,” she says, pointing out that their access to resources, even basic day-to-day needs, is a major challenge.
“Many older adults end up feeling lost in the system, especially when they have nowhere to turn for help with questions about their care, benefits, or rights. When they don’t know where to get answers, they often fall through the cracks, which can make everything from accessing healthcare to understanding their entitlements so much harder.”
Policy development in elder care is Adriane’s primary focus. “I want to be able to shape the systems that determine how care is delivered and assure that the voice of older adults is heard at the highest levels.”
Adriane emphasizes that she could not have accomplished her goal without her family, friends and co-workers. In addition, she found the strength and inspiration to achieve her goals in the words of great leaders.
Here are a few quotes that helped Adriane along the way:
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
Frederick Douglass“You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”
Dr. Martin Luther King“He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life.”
Muhammad Ali
Congratulations on your accomplishment, Adriane!
WashU Nephrology co-workers helped Adriane celebrate (pics credit: Jean Smith).





