Her Story
About Jonetta
Jonetta Gresham is a healthcare IT professional based in Cleveland, Ohio, with over 30 years of experience since 1996. She works for Optimum Healthcare IT, a contracting company that implements and supports the Epic electronic medical record system. Her responsibilities include assessing end-user skill levels with hardware and software, providing training and support across various departments such as providers, nurses, and patients, and leveraging her clinical background as an LPN to facilitate effective communication and system adoption. Jonetta holds a project management certification and is currently pursuing her bachelor's degree in nursing at Arizona College of Nursing, with an expected completion in 2027. She is an active member of the Black Nurses Association and the Order of Eastern Star, participating in community initiatives including support for women's shelters, back-to-school programs, and clothing drives. Jonetta attributes her success to perseverance and a strong belief in representation for black women, single mothers, and teen mothers, emphasizing that one's environment does not dictate success. She advises young women entering the male-dominated field of healthcare IT to believe they belong and to use all their knowledge to advance. Her core values include authenticity, respect, support, and honesty.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jonetta
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from perseverance and the belief that I deserve it. I was a teen mother who raised children singularly, and I represent populations like black women, single mothers, teen mothers, and inner-city communities. I want to show that your environment does not dictate your level of success, and that people from those backgrounds can still achieve great things.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received recently is that it's never too late to turn the corner. This was in reference to stepping out and achieving goals I had put on the back burner. I've been an LPN for years but always had goals like earning my BSN that I set aside while working to earn money and take care of responsibilities. Now at this age, I'm pursuing nursing school again because it's never too late to reach for goals you always wanted.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You belong. Live like you do. Use everything you can and all your knowledge to move you through. Healthcare IT is a male-dominated space, even though healthcare overall seems like a women's field with nurses. Believe you belong there and use all your knowledge to propel yourself forward because you don't just know one thing.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is access and breaking into spaces where you're not the predominant candidate, especially as a woman in a male-dominated IT field. Getting opportunities often comes through contracts, and direct jobs are very competitive. You have to stand out in ways others don't, and it's hard to figure that out when you might be seen as a wildcard like a gray-haired woman who doesn't look like the typical IT professional.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity, respect, support, and honesty.
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