Jacquelyn Bhones is a highly experienced registered nurse with over two decades of dedicated service in the healthcare field. Her journey in nursing began with a deep calling to help others, which guided her towards a career in healthcare. Graduating in 2004 from National Park Community College, Jacquelyn’s commitment to excellence was evident early on, as she earned several scholarships and was inducted into the honor society. At CIO Global, we are honored to recognize Jacquelyn Bhones as the Transformational Healthcare Woman of the Year 2024.

Throughout her extensive career, Jacquelyn has gained valuable experience across a variety of specialties, including Oncology, Medical, Emergency Room, and Intensive Care. These diverse roles have provided her with a comprehensive understanding of patient care and the complexities within the healthcare system. Her passion for both the clinical and business aspects of healthcare led her to pursue further education, resulting in Bachelor’s degrees in Healthcare Management and Nursing, and a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration and Public Administration. These academic achievements allowed Jacquelyn to transition into executive nursing leadership roles, including serving as a Director of Nurses.

Jacquelyn’s career has been marked by profound experiences, from witnessing the joy of new life to providing comfort in life’s final moments. These experiences have enriched her understanding of healthcare, allowing her to excel as both a compassionate caregiver and a leader in the field. In her current role, Jacquelyn serves as a Surgical Coordinator for the Pre-assessment Triage Department. Here, she plays a pivotal role in coordinating surgery schedules and pre-surgery testing, working closely with anesthesiologists to ensure patient safety. In addition to this role, she remains actively involved in emergency care, working several shifts each month as an Emergency Room Nurse in hospitals across Houston. This hands-on experience keeps her connected to the fast-paced environment of emergency care and sharpens her clinical skills.

Jacquelyn is also at the forefront of healthcare innovation, collaborating on a project to introduce an AI-driven nursing documentation system. This system aims to improve the triage process in hospital settings, reduce hospital stays, and minimize complications, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. This project reflects her commitment to integrating advanced technology into healthcare to provide more efficient and effective patient care.

Jacquelyn’s inspiration to pursue a career in healthcare was deeply rooted in her childhood experiences. From a young age, she was drawn to nursing, driven by a strong sense of service and compassion. At just 10 years old, she took on the responsibility of caring for her disabled aunt, who was confined to a wheelchair. This early experience profoundly shaped her understanding of empathy, dedication, and the importance of compassionate care. For Jacquelyn, nursing is more than just a profession; it is a calling that aligns with her innate desire to help others. The satisfaction she finds in caring for people and supporting them through their health journeys confirms that this was the path she was meant to follow.

Jacquelyn Bhones takes immense pride in a recent project where she had the honor of serving as a plenary speaker at the LEO International Conference on “Empowering Women’s Leadership” in New York City. This opportunity was not only a significant personal achievement but also a pivotal moment in her career. Speaking on health, healing, and transformation, Jacquelyn was able to share her insights and experiences with a diverse audience, emphasizing the importance of holistic health and well-being. As she continues her journey toward becoming a professional nurse speaker, this experience has fueled her passion for spreading the message of preventive care, physical health, and emotional wellness. This conference reinforced her commitment to serving as a healthcare partner, not just during times of illness, but as an advocate for overall health.

Jacquelyn believes one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today is the shift toward a profit-driven model. When she first entered the nursing profession, her focus was on providing compassionate, comprehensive care to her patients, taking the time to be at their bedside, offering medical care, education, and emotional support. However, over the past two decades, the landscape has dramatically changed. Financial considerations now often overshadow patient well-being, with insurance companies routinely denying essential treatments and healthcare professionals burdened by documentation aimed more at maximizing hospital charges than enhancing patient care. This shift has led to a standardized, one-size-fits-all approach to treatment protocols, which does not always serve the best interests of individual patients.

The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these issues, with experienced healthcare professionals, including Jacquelyn, facing pressure to adhere to standardized protocols, sometimes at the expense of personalized patient care. For the first time in history, even highly respected doctors found themselves silenced, and healthcare professionals were discouraged from speaking out about what they believed was in the best interest of their patients. This trend towards prioritizing profits over patient care is deeply concerning to Jacquelyn, as it undermines the very foundation of healthcare, which should be centered on the well-being of individuals, not the bottom line. She believes addressing this issue is critical to restoring trust in the healthcare system and ensuring that patients receive the quality care they deserve.

In the context of healthcare, Jacquelyn defines “transformational” as the power to make a significant impact that goes beyond the clinical setting. A recent experience that highlighted this for her was being a featured speaker at a Women’s Leadership Conference in New York. Standing before an audience eager to listen and engage was both humbling and empowering for Jacquelyn. This moment affirmed the power of sharing knowledge and experience beyond the walls of a hospital. Every day, she prays for the ability to absorb and comprehend new information, to listen intently, and to translate that into words of wisdom that can inspire and transform lives. Being able to convey her passion and years of experience in healthcare to an audience outside the medical environment was an incredible experience for Jacquelyn. It reinforced her belief that her message can resonate far beyond the walls of a medical facility. This opportunity not only brought her immense gratification but also instilled a renewed confidence in her. It opened her eyes to the endless possibilities for sharing her journey and expertise with a broader audience. Representing “Nurse Jackie” on such a platform has been a pivotal moment in her career, inspiring her to continue striving to make a difference on a larger scale.

Jacquelyn Bhones offers valuable advice to women who want to make a significant impact in healthcare. She emphasizes the importance of embracing one’s unique strengths and recognizing the value of one’s voice. Healthcare thrives on a diversity of thought, experience, and perspective, and women bring a distinct approach to care that includes empathy, compassion, and resilience—qualities that are essential for driving meaningful change.

Jacquelyn advises women to invest in their education and continuously seek opportunities for growth. Whether through formal education, certifications, or on-the-job learning, expanding knowledge empowers individuals to take on leadership roles and influence healthcare practices. Building a strong network of mentors and peers is also crucial. Surrounding oneself with supportive, challenging, and inspiring individuals can provide guidance and motivation, helping to navigate the complexities of the healthcare industry and find a personal path to success. Being bold in advocating for one’s beliefs is another key piece of advice. Healthcare often requires difficult decisions and the courage to speak up for patients and colleagues. Challenging the status quo to improve care or outcomes is important, and standing firm in one’s convictions can help shape a more equitable and effective healthcare system. Jacquelyn also highlights the importance of self-care. Healthcare is a demanding field, and maintaining one’s own well-being is essential for making a lasting impact. Prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and caring for oneself enhances the ability to care for others. By combining passion, education, and self-care with a commitment to advocacy and leadership, women can make a profound difference in healthcare and inspire others to do the same.

Looking to the future, Jacquelyn is excited about the growing acceptance and integration of functional medicine into mainstream healthcare. This approach focuses on treating individuals as unique entities rather than as generalized groups. The shift toward personalized care is truly transformative. Jacquelyn is particularly enthusiastic about the increasing discussion and adoption of alternative holistic treatments such as red light therapy, IV vitamin infusions, lymphatic massage, and other complementary therapies. These methods, once considered outside conventional medicine, are now being recognized as viable options for promoting overall health and well-being.

The evolution of healthcare is fascinating, and Jacquelyn is excited to see how many nurses and doctors are moving away from traditional practices to explore and integrate holistic approaches. This new era of healthcare, which blends traditional and alternative medicine, reflects a deeper commitment to caring for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Jacquelyn views this integration as a significant step forward in the approach to health and wellness, and she is eager to continue contributing to this transformative field.

Jacquelyn Bhones shares a powerful message with the healthcare community and the world, one of hope, integration, and transformation. She believes we are at a crucial moment in healthcare where blending traditional and alternative medicine presents a unique chance to redefine patient care. Jacquelyn envisions a healthcare system that embraces treating the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. This approach goes beyond just addressing symptoms and focuses on understanding the root causes of health issues. By combining advanced medical technologies with time-honored holistic practices, healthcare can become more personalized, effective, and compassionate, empowering patients to take an active role in their health journey.

“Be bold in advocating for what you believe in, even if it means challenging the status quo to improve care and outcomes.”

She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and innovation within the healthcare community. It is essential for healthcare professionals to learn from each other, share insights, and remain open to new ideas and approaches. This collective effort will drive advancements that improve health outcomes and enhance the quality of life for people everywhere. Jacquelyn also wants to remind everyone that healthcare is not solely about treating illness; it’s about promoting wellness, preventing disease, and fostering a sense of balance and well-being in all aspects of life. Her vision is for a future where everyone has access to the care they need, where healthcare systems are equitable, and where the focus is on maintaining health rather than merely managing disease. She sees a future where healthcare bridges the gap between science and compassion, with the well-being of every individual at the heart of all efforts. Jacquelyn calls for continued work together to turn this vision into reality.

A moment that truly affirmed Jacquelyn’s impact was being a featured speaker at a Women’s Leadership Conference in New York earlier this year. Standing before an eager and engaged audience was both humbling and empowering for her. This experience reinforced the power of sharing knowledge and expertise beyond the clinical setting. Following this event, Jacquelyn was honored by Hoinser Magazine as a “Professional Personality” for 2024. Being featured on the magazine’s cover was a moment of gratitude and appreciation for her dedication to caring for people. Her motto, “your body is my passion,” reflects her commitment to a life of service.

Jacquelyn prays daily for the ability to absorb and comprehend new information, to listen intently, and to translate that into wisdom that can inspire and transform lives. Conveying her passion and years of experience in healthcare to an audience outside the hospital environment was an incredible experience. It reinforced her belief that her message can resonate far beyond the walls of a medical facility. This opportunity has not only been gratifying but has also instilled renewed confidence in Jacquelyn. It has opened her eyes to the endless possibilities for sharing her journey and expertise with a broader audience. Representing “Nurse Jackie” on such a prominent platform has been a pivotal moment in her career and has inspired her to continue striving to make a difference on a larger scale.

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