Carrie Jackson

I attribute my success to hard work, compassion, persistence, faith, and the relationships I have built throughout my career. My journey in healthcare began at a very young age when I learned to help my grandmother with insulin injections, and growing up with family members in healthcare, including my mother, taught me the importance of caring for others. I worked my way through nearly every level of senior care, from CNA and medication aide to medical assistant, nurse, administrator, compliance officer, and regional/corporate operations leader, gaining firsthand insight into the responsibilities and challenges faced by healthcare professionals at every level. Those experiences taught me to lead by example and never ask someone to do something I would not do myself. I believe leadership is about serving others, building trust, and being willing to step in wherever I am needed. My faith has also guided me through setbacks and challenges, reminding me to view every experience as an opportunity to learn and grow. Ultimately, I measure success not by titles or accomplishments, but by the difference I can make in someone's life and by ensuring that the people I care for, work with, and teach feel valued, heard, and supported.

The best career advice I have received is to remember that relationships matter. In healthcare, technical knowledge and expertise are important, but compassion, active listening, kindness, and genuine human connection can make an equally meaningful difference. I have learned to treat every person with respect and to make residents, families, and employees feel valued and heard. I also believe that no position is beneath a leader; being willing to understand and perform the work firsthand builds empathy, credibility, and trust with a team. Throughout my career, I have made a point of learning every aspect of the healthcare environment, from direct clinical care to administration, compliance, and business operations. Most importantly, I have learned to remain persistent. Failure is not the end of the journey but an opportunity to learn, grow, and approach the next challenge with greater wisdom. Faith, humility, determination, and a willingness to keep moving forward have been essential lessons throughout my career.

My advice to young women entering the healthcare and senior living industry is to never be afraid to start at the bottom, because every position and experience can teach you something that will ultimately make you a stronger leader. Stay curious, work hard, ask questions, and take the time to learn from the people around you while building meaningful professional relationships. Treat every person with dignity and remember that compassion and respect are essential to effective leadership. I also encourage women to prioritize their own well-being because caring for others can be demanding, and sustainable success requires knowing when to pause, recharge, and practice self-care. Most importantly, lead with authenticity, confidence, and compassion, remain open to learning, and recognize that every experience, including the difficult ones, can help you grow both personally and professionally.

I believe the senior care industry is facing significant challenges while also presenting meaningful opportunities, particularly as we respond to the increasingly complex needs of an aging population and individuals living with dementia. One of the greatest opportunities is strengthening the healthcare workforce through education, mentorship, compassion, and effective leadership while ensuring caregivers have the resources and support they need to succeed. I also see tremendous potential for continued advocacy, education, and collaboration among healthcare professionals, families, government agencies, and community organizations. By working together, we can strengthen the senior care workforce, support caregivers, and create environments that promote dignity, safety, and a better quality of life for older adults.

The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, compassion, empathy, kindness, integrity, service, perseverance, family, and advocacy. I believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and understanding, and I view caring for others as both a responsibility and a privilege. Service is an important part of who I am, whether I am caring for residents, supporting my colleagues, teaching CPR, educating future healthcare professionals, volunteering, or advocating for patients and seniors at the local and state level. My experiences in healthcare and as a mother have taught me the importance of resilience, perseverance, and continuing to show up for others even when circumstances are challenging. From helping my grandmother with insulin as a child to building a career dedicated to senior care and healthcare leadership, I have always been guided by a desire to serve others with purpose, compassion, and integrity.