Her Story
About Jacqueline
Jacqueline Warren, CRCST, CIS, CHL is a dedicated healthcare professional with more than 11 years of experience in Central Sterile Processing. After moving from Chicago, Jacqueline knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare but chose a path that allowed her to make a meaningful impact behind the scenes. As someone who prefers not to be in the spotlight, she found her calling in Sterile Processing, where her work ensures surgical teams have the clean, sterile, and properly prepared instruments they need to care for patients. Her commitment to this field is deeply personal, inspired by her grandmother’s many health challenges and her passing at the same hospital where Jacqueline now works.
As the Sterile Processing Supervisor at Baptist Health Paducah, Jacqueline oversees critical operations that support more than 50 surgeries each day. She manages inventory control, ensures instrument availability, leads decontamination and sterilization processes, and works to maintain the highest standards of safety and efficiency. Throughout her career, she has grown from a Sterilization Technician into a leadership role by combining technical expertise, reliability, and a commitment to teamwork. She believes strong leadership comes from resilience, communication, and supporting others while continuing to improve processes that impact patient care.
Jacqueline’s professional journey reflects her values of helping others, integrity, family, and perseverance. She credits her children as a major source of motivation, wanting to show them that dedication and honest work can create opportunities and success. Her advice to others is to get out of their own heads, trust their abilities, and keep moving forward even during challenging moments. With a passion for healthcare and a desire to make a broader impact, Jacqueline continues to grow through education, certifications, and leadership while exploring opportunities to influence the future of sterile processing and public health.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jacqueline
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my children and the motivation they have given me throughout my life. I wanted them to see that there are opportunities beyond the stereotypes and limitations that are often placed on people from certain communities. Coming from Chicago, I wanted to show them that hard work, dedication, and making positive choices can create a successful and meaningful life. My goal has always been to set an example and show them that working hard and doing things the right way truly pays off.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received came from a former boss who encouraged me to stop overthinking and trust in my abilities. They reminded me that I was doing an amazing job and that getting caught up in self-doubt was often what created unnecessary stress and frustration. That advice helped me change my mindset, build confidence, and approach challenges with a greater sense of assurance.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are family, authenticity, and helping others. Spending time with my family and my six grandchildren is incredibly meaningful to me. I also believe in maintaining a strong sense of who I am, even in challenging or chaotic environments. Staying true to my values, supporting others, and making a positive impact while not losing myself in the process are priorities that guide both my personal and professional life.
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