Connect

This Women’s History Month 2024, Connect is highlighting some of the women advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at UVA Health and beyond — advancing our bold vision “to be the nation’s leading public academic health system and a best place to work — while transforming patient care, research, education, and engagement with the diverse communities we serve.”

‘Advocating for the Whole Patient’

Mesha Jones, MSN, RN, has marked a milestone at UVA Health — two decades that saw her rise to the leadership role of president of the University Medical Center Nursing Professional Governance Organization (NPGO) in 2023.

What sparked the Charlottesville native’s interest in healthcare to begin with? “Funny story,” she describes. “I grew up watching the TV medical drama ‘ER.’ I saw the difference that nurse Carol made to her patients, by advocating for the whole patient.” 

We thank Jones for her service, 1996-2000, as a U.S. Army Private First Class — a role she took on “aiming to make a positive impact on the world.” 

As a combat medic, she was stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. 

After Jones first joined UVA Health as a patient service assistant (PSA), she took the Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) certified nurse assistant (CNA) course, which was supported by UVA Health. Then she worked as a burn wound tech; a critical care RN; a wound, ostomy nurse; in hyperbaric care; then as an ambulatory care nurse — along the way, earning her associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s in nursing. Aiming even higher, she’s working on her DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) in Nursing Practice-Nurse Executive.

‘Nothing Short of Fantastic!’

Ever open to learning, Jones also is part of the first cohort of the UVA Health Leadership Institute (HLI) — a key pillar of the UVA Health strategic plan initiative of Best Place to Work.

“HLI has been nothing short of fantastic thus far!” she raves. “The moment I discovered I was accepted, I was genuinely surprised, especially considering the substantial number of applications received.” 

Best Place to Work

Jones also is ever open to applying what she’s learned, to the ‘real world’ — to help make a difference in others’ lives. Since last summer at UVA Health, she has served as nurse manager, Ambulatory Float Pool, and program manager, Earn While You Learn Program (EWYL) — helping to lead the charge in addressing critical staffing shortages and creating valuable career opportunities.

“Being part of the EWYL program holds significant value for me — extending beyond the responsibilities of managing new team members,” Jones explains. “It’s a commitment to mentorship and support — guiding individuals toward achieving their career goals.”

“The essence lies in fostering meaningful relationships and removing any obstacles that may prevent success in the program," she adds. "This includes addressing work/life balance, effective time management for studying, and confidence building.”

Cultivating Healthy Communities and Belonging for All

And since 2020, Jones has volunteered in the Rappahannock-Rapidan Medical Reserve Corps — initially joining during the pandemic to support her community and surrounding counties through COVID-19 testing, vaccination clinics, and local health department support.

She also volunteered for two years as a member of the Rappahannock-Rapidan Community Services Board, which aims to improve residents’ quality of life by providing services for comprehensive behavioral health, intellectual disability, substance use disorder, and aging in Virginia’s Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange, and Rappahannock counties.

Amplifying Voices

Since last summer, Jones has served as president of the Madison County African American Historical Association, which declares that “an appreciation for a collective American history is essential to building a more inclusive and equitable community for all.”

“This is of great importance because it amplifies the voices of those often overlooked in the community — ensuring their stories are told,” Jones says.

Fostering Future Professionals

Jones also has volunteered for two years as a member of the Virginia Nurses Association (VNA) and Virginia Nurses Foundation (VNF)’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity Council, which is “committed to fostering diverse perspectives.” In 2024, she became co-chair of the committee — which this year, primarily is focusing on diversity in the workforce.

“As an association, we're actively exploring initiatives to educate and support younger, school-aged students interested in nursing,” she says. “We're discussing steps to create a career and technical education (CTE) program. And we're developing a mentorship program to enhance support within our community.”

Teaching the next generation of nurses as a clinical faculty member at UVA School of Nursing since July 2023 holds personal significance for Jones. “It's not just a way to give back — it's a commitment to fostering future professionals who will continue to pose challenging questions and advocate for equity in patient care.”

‘Seizing Every Opportunity’

“Diversity, equity, and inclusion are not merely checkboxes for me — they represent a mindset and a set of actions that permeate all aspects of my work,” Jones says. “This is particularly crucial in patient care, where the real world often deviates from the ideal scenarios taught in school. Ensuring the next generation understands the distinction between equity and equality is vital for providing compassionate and effective healthcare to every patient.”

This year, Jones’ DEI work is honored systemwide — as she’s earned a UVA Health Martin Luther King, Jr. Award. “These award winners’ work, advocacy, and activism is — in itself — diverse, and central to our School’s mission and quality,” says UVA School of Nursing Dean Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN. “They truly inspire and represent the multi-dimensional journey to belonging and inclusion we are and will always be on.”

“Mesha leverages her professional success to advocate on behalf of women and minorities, seizing every opportunity to raise awareness on important issues … and to amplify and celebrate the voices of women and minority leaders in healthcare,” hails SON Assistant Professor Ashley Apple, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, in her nomination of Jones for the award. 

Driving Force

But the role Jones holds closest to her heart is in her family. Asserts the mother of three girls: "My family is my everything — the cornerstone of my existence and the driving force behind everything I do. No matter how demanding life is, or tired I may be, I always prioritize and make time for them.”

How does Jones manage it all — and try to find time to relax? “Some days, I wish there was more time to juggle everything,” she admits. Organization — the non-tech kind — and introspection, help her rise to the occasion(s).

“I depend on a paper calendar to map everything,” Jones reveals. “At the end of each year, I take inventory of everything I’m involved in, and decide if I will continue and what I can add.”

“I wish I could say I’m good at finding time for myself and unwinding. When I do, I love to be at home in my space — it gives me a chance to recharge!”