Her Story
About Krystal
Dr. Krystal S. Jones, LNHA, is an accomplished healthcare administrator, dementia care advocate, and published author with more than 12 years of experience serving older adults in healthcare and gerontology. Inspired by her great-grandmother, who worked as a caregiver, Dr. Jones developed a passion for senior advocacy at an early age. Today, she views her work as both a calling and a continuation of her great-grandmother’s legacy of compassion and service.
Over the years, Dr. Jones has advanced into leadership roles focused on long-term care administration, dementia education, and healthcare advocacy. Currently serving with Medical Facilities of America, she oversees the operations of a 120-bed skilled nursing facility, managing daily administration, staffing, payroll, compliance, and operational oversight. While her responsibilities are extensive, she considers the heart of her role to be building meaningful relationships with residents, supporting families, and advocating for quality, person-centered care both within the facility and throughout the community.
As a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and Certified Dementia Practitioner, Dr. Jones is committed to creating compassionate, supportive environments for residents, families, and healthcare teams alike. Her professional expertise includes healthcare leadership, team development, dementia education, and chronic disease management—areas in which she continues to make a lasting impact.
Dr. Jones earned her Doctor of Healthcare Administration degree from Virginia University of Lynchburg and holds a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Strayer University. In addition to her leadership in healthcare, she is also a two-time published author whose work focuses on helping families and caregivers navigate the complexities of long-term care. Through her writing, she aims to educate, empower, and provide clarity for those caring for loved ones.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Dr. Jones has been recognized for her community leadership and humanitarian efforts, earning the title of Miss United States Plus World 2021 and Miss United States Plus World 2022 for her contributions to education, wellness, cultural awareness, and community advocacy.
Through every aspect of her work, Dr. Jones continues to lead with compassion, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to improving the lives of others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Krystal
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to understanding that leadership is not about titles—it’s about impact. My journey has been built on consistency, resilience, and a genuine commitment to serving others, especially within long-term care and dementia advocacy.
I’ve learned that success comes from being willing to do the hard work behind the scenes, leading with both compassion and accountability, and never losing sight of the people at the center of the work. Every resident, family, staff member, and student I encounter reminds me why this work matters.
I also believe my success is rooted in my ability to bridge purpose with practice—to not only talk about change, but to actively create systems, education, and opportunities that improve the lives of others. Whether through healthcare leadership, mentorship, advocacy, or education, I strive to leave every space better than I found it.
Most importantly, I attribute my success to faith, perseverance, and the willingness to keep growing. I have learned that challenges do not disqualify you; they refine you. And every season—both difficult and rewarding—has shaped the leader, advocate, and woman I am today
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received was: “Never become so focused on the position that you forget the purpose.”
That advice has stayed with me throughout my journey in healthcare leadership. Titles may open doors, but purpose is what sustains impact. It reminds me to lead with integrity, serve people well, and stay grounded in the reason I started this work in the first place.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
To a young woman stepping into healthcare leadership, I would say: trust yourself enough to take up space in rooms you worked hard to enter. Healthcare leadership can be demanding, but your voice, compassion, and perspective are needed.
Do not let age, fear, or imposter syndrome make you question your value. Continue learning, remain open to growth, and lead with both confidence and empathy. The strongest leaders are not the loudest—they are the ones who lead with integrity, consistency, and heart.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in healthcare right now is the workforce shortage—especially in long-term care. We are seeing increasing patient needs, higher acuity, burnout among healthcare workers, and fewer people entering or remaining in the field. In long-term care specifically, there is also a growing need for stronger dementia education, leadership development, and support for frontline staff.
At the same time, I believe this is also one of the greatest opportunities for transformation. Healthcare has an opportunity to rethink how we lead, educate, and support both caregivers and patients. We have the chance to improve person-centered care, integrate technology and AI responsibly, strengthen workforce development, and address disparities that impact underserved communities.
For me, the biggest opportunity is creating systems that are more compassionate, sustainable, and human-centered—because healthcare should never lose sight of the people behind the diagnosis, the census number, or the workload.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me are compassion, integrity, faith, and purpose. In both my personal life and professional work, I believe in treating people with dignity, leading with honesty, and remaining committed to making a meaningful impact.
In healthcare especially, compassion and empathy are essential. I never want to lose sight of the person behind the diagnosis or circumstance. Integrity is equally important to me because leadership requires accountability, transparency, and doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
As a mother, I am also deeply intentional about the example I set for my daughter. I want her to see that leadership is not just about success—it’s about character, resilience, compassion, and how you treat people along the way. Building a strong family, creating a legacy of love and purpose, and showing her that women can lead with both strength and grace are values that mean everything to me.
I also value growth and service. I believe we are called to use our gifts to uplift others, create opportunities, and leave people and places better than we found them. Those values guide not only how I lead, but also how I live.
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