by Kelsey Herbers
Nicole McCoin, MD, vice chair for Education and Keith D. Wrenn Residency Program director in Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Department of Emergency Medicine, and Pam Jones, DNP, senior associate dean for Clinical and Community Partnerships for Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), have been chosen as 2020 “Women to Watch” by Nashville Medical News.
The annual recognition spotlights women with diverse skill sets and expertise who are making a difference in Nashville’s health care ecosystem and beyond. McCoin and Jones are two of 10 Middle Tennessee professionals to receive this year’s honor.
McCoin completed both her undergraduate and medical degrees at Vanderbilt University along with her internship and residency, where she served as chief resident before joining the faculty. She has held various leadership positions throughout the institution including faculty senator, course director for Vanderbilt University School of Medicine during its transition to Curriculum 2.0, and as a member of the Graduate Medical Education Committee.
Aside from working clinically in the Emergency Department, McCoin enjoys teaching medical students and residents and working on initiatives to provide better care for patients.
“There is an abundance of gifted and accomplished female leaders in health care in Nashville. I am humbled to be chosen amid such an amazing group,” said McCoin.
Jones earned her undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees from Vanderbilt University and began her professional journey at Vanderbilt in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit before eventually progressing to chief nursing officer for the hospital.
In her current role, Jones has a broad scope of responsibility at both VUSN and VUMC. She provides operational leadership for the VUMC Nurse Faculty Practice Division, which includes Vanderbilt’s nurse-led primary care and midwifery practices, its employer health program with six community clinics, the Baby+Company freestanding birth center and the Clinic at Mercury Court’s nurse-managed interprofessional team. She also serves as an expert and liaison to VUMC in support of advanced practice.
Her academic responsibilities include acting as an adviser and subject matter expert for VUSN’s Master of Nursing Science and Nursing and Health Care Leadership programs, serving on the Doctor of Nursing Practice Curriculum Committee, teaching economics and finance and overseeing community outreach and operations.
“It is an honor to be recognized along with my colleague at VUMC. The School of Nursing and VUMC have shaped who I am as a nurse and leader,” said Jones. “I am particularly proud to be named this year when nursing has made such a valuable contribution to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
The full list of 2020 Women to Watch can be found here.
