Pam Jones, DNP, MSN, R.N., has transitioned from chief nursing officer for Vanderbilt University Hospital to her new role as senior associate dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships at Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN).
In this position, Jones is charged with further enhancing interdisciplinary practice opportunities, developing future models of care that enhance health and provide educational opportunity for VUSN students, overseeing several community outreach programs and exploring ways to more fully integrate VUSN with Vanderbilt’s growing affiliate network.
“Pam is a perfect fit for this time and to build on the efforts that Bonnie Pilon initiated,” said Linda Norman, DSN, R.N., Valere Potter Menefee Professor of Nursing and dean of VUSN. “She is uniquely equipped to strengthen the clinical operations linkages between the school and the Medical Center. There is no question that with her on our leadership team, VUSN will have an even greater impact on health care delivery.”
Jones has served in a nursing leadership role for Vanderbilt since 2008, responsible for all inpatient nursing services, Emergency Department, LifeFlight, respiratory therapy, social services and case management.
“Pam is a health systems leader, a clinical operations expert, a professor and a former staff nurse and clinician. It is those perspectives and experiences that make her so effective, and I look forward to our continued work together,” said Marilyn Dubree, MSN, R.N., executive chief nursing officer for Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Jones recently earned the 2015 American Association of Nurse Practitioners’ Advocate State Award for Excellence, in recognition of increasing the awareness and acceptance of the nurse practitioner role in Tennessee.
Jones taught in VUSN’s Health Care Leadership program for several years and worked in the school’s faculty practice arm, helping to put together the proposal that resulted in Vine Hill Community Clinic becoming a Federally Qualified Health Center. Jones also worked early in her nursing career at Vanderbilt as a Neontatal staff nurse, unit coordinator and assistant nurse manager.
Prior to joining Vanderbilt, Jones served in several leadership positions for other area hospitals, including chief executive officer for the Baptist Women’s Pavilion Hospital and chief operating officer for Tennessee Christian Medical Center. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice degrees from VUSN.