Her Story
About Jessica
Jessica Buckley is a healthcare leader in the United States with more than 20 years of progressive experience in clinical and administrative roles. She currently serves as a Practice Manager at Pikeville Medical Center, where she oversees the operational coordination of multiple ambulatory service lines, including urology, gastroenterology, general surgery, interventional radiology, and acute care services. Her work focuses on improving clinical workflows, ensuring effective referral management, and supporting high-quality, patient-centered care in a rural healthcare setting.
She began her career at the same hospital system as an operating room technician and later advanced her education to become a registered nurse. Over time, she moved through a series of leadership positions, including service line coordinator in the operating room, PACU Clinical Manager, Director and Executive Director of Surgery, and Performance Improvement Manager. This steady progression reflects her deep clinical expertise combined with growing responsibility in healthcare operations and system-wide performance improvement.
Jessica recently earned her Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA), further strengthening her leadership in healthcare management. She has also been recognized for her involvement in leadership development programs, including Leadership Kentucky BRIGHT, and her election to the Kentucky Hospital Association Youth Advisory Board. She is currently preparing for board certification in ambulatory care nursing and remains committed to improving healthcare access and outcomes for rural Appalachian communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jessica
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my love for my community and seeing the need the community has. That really drives me both personally and professionally. I grew up in a super rural area, raised kind of up a holler, and I always knew this was the path I wanted to go down. The community I serve means everything to me, and understanding the challenges people face in our region, especially in rural Appalachia, keeps me motivated to make a difference in healthcare delivery and access.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received has come from my husband, who has been my biggest mentor throughout my career. He's a nurse, and when I was an OR tech, he was the one who pushed me to go to nursing school. He really encouraged me when I went and got my bachelor's, and when I just recently completed my master's, he was incredibly supportive. He's been my mentor since we worked together in the OR, and he's probably been the one who has driven me the most in my professional development.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering healthcare is to be the thermostat, not the thermometer. The thermostat sets the temperature of the room, while the thermometer just reacts to the temperature of the room. You want to stay grounded, lead with intention, be part of the culture, and lead by example. Don't just react to what's happening around you, but actively shape the environment and culture you want to see in healthcare.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges I see right now are healthcare disparities in general, especially in the region we're in, in Appalachia. We have such a high poverty level, and everyone is spread out so far away from the hospital just due to geographic locations. We have such limited transportation that getting patients the follow-up care they need, or even the preventative care they need, is incredibly difficult. People don't come to get care on the front end until they're super sick, and then they're admitted. Even then, they struggle to come back for follow-up appointments. These access barriers are the biggest problems we face in our area.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are community service, family, and leading with intention. My family is really my focus when I'm not at the hospital. I love spending time with my husband, who is also a nurse, and my mother, who is also a nurse, and they both work at the same facility. I have two school-aged children that take a lot of my time. Primarily, my family is my focus outside of work. At work, I believe in staying grounded, being part of the culture, and leading by example. My love for my community and seeing the needs they have drives me both personally and professionally.
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