Health educator spotlights wellness

Jackie Ross

Now that she’s taken the community resource nurse position at SSM Health St. Francis Hospital, Jackie Ross will be working toward shortening the patient lists.

That sounds subversive, but Ross’ new role is part of the hospital’s initiative to addresses top health concerns in Maryville. Through a recent public assessment, hospital staff members have identified heart disease and obesity as the community’s most common health troubles.

In the next three years, Ross will be working with Diabetes Coordinator Debra Hull and Dietitian Julie Livengood to focus on providing assistance to area residents in getting healthy.

In the 41 years Ross has been a nurse, she has filled several capacities, primarily focusing on critical care. April 2016 will mark 20 years at St. Francis for Ross. She began there as a supervisor on the night shift.

Ross’ experience in emergency situations has grown her passion for wellness and prevention because she’s seen what happens to people when they ignore their health.

As part of her duties, Ross will be responsible for helping community members navigate healthcare systems and find referrals to necessary services. Ross also is leading a smoking cessation class and support group at the hospital.

“That’s another huge problem in this area,” Ross said. “The smoking rate has gone down from 30 percent back in the ’80s, and it’s about 16 percent now. But it’s still an issue.”

Ross said she can identify with people trying to quit smoking because she used to smoke, too.

“It’s a really hard habit to break, but it’s so important,” she said.

Recently, Ross applied to serve on the County Health Board. She said that as she grows in her role, she will build relationships with business owners in town in an effort to create better wellness opportunities for employees.

Ross said she will also be forming and testing the wellness program at the hospital itself.

“To be honest with you, our hospital employees don’t have a good wellness program right now,” Ross said. “That’s one of the first things I’ll be working on because our hospital employees are part of the community, and my job is to work with the community.”

In addition to having a career in healthcare, Ross has worked as a personal trainer for 30 years.

“I decided to try this new-fangled thing they called ‘aerobics’ in the ’80s, and I fell in love with it,” Ross said.

Ross wouldn’t describe herself as athletic as much as she would say she’s learned what it takes to feel well by exercising and keeping a balanced diet.

“I believe that fitness and wellness is the most important thing people can do to for themselves,” Ross said. “Prevention is number one, and St. Francis believes that, too. You want to keep people from getting sick, and the only way to do that is to teach people how to stay well.”

She knows it’s not easy. Although she enjoys her role as a trainer, eating healthfully isn’t always the most convenient.

“If you’ve never done it before, you can’t even begin to understand the difference in your life it will make,” Ross said.

According to Ross, when she was growing up, the fitness industry hadn’t taken off yet, and most girls weren’t included in high school sports. Since then, she said, people in the United States have developed unhealthy lifestyles by being sedentary, smoking, and overeating.

“It’s a hard change, and people are very resistant to change, but if I can help to do that, that’s my passion,” Ross said.

For more information about pursuing a healthier lifestyle, or to make an appointment with Ross, call 660.562.7945.