We recently connected with Jessica Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?
My defining moment in the trajectory of my career came during my time as a breast cancer research nurse, but the path leading to that pivotal experience was shaped by my earliest encounters with healthcare. As an adolescent, I watched my vibrant, creative mother face a devastating diagnosis of sarcoidosis at age 34. The disease robbed her of vision in her left eye, and I witnessed her transform from an independent woman into someone struggling to navigate her new reality. During her countless medical appointments, I sat quietly observing as she endured painful procedures. Too often, I saw her treated more like a medical case than a human being grappling with both physical disability and depression.
Those moments in the exam rooms, watching my mother’s spirit dim as doctors discussed her case around her rather than with her, ignited something in me. I realized that while I felt powerless then, I could channel that experience into a mission to ensure others wouldn’t face the same journey through the healthcare system. This led me to pursue a degree in Public Health, where I gained a holistic understanding of how physical and mental health intertwine. But I craved more direct patient interaction, which propelled me toward nursing despite significant obstacles.
Nursing school tested my resolve in unexpected ways. As one of the few students of color, I faced an unwelcoming “sink or swim” culture and was even told directly that I shouldn’t become a nurse. Yet these challenges only strengthened my determination. Each hurdle reinforced that I was exactly where I needed to be, preparing to become the kind of healthcare provider I wished my mother had had. While many patients have shaped my nursing practice over the years, it was my subsequent role as a breast cancer research nurse that truly transformed my professional journey. That experience would become the defining moment that changed everything—and taught me lessons about healthcare and humanity that continue to guide me today.
As a breast cancer nurse, I don’t just help treat patients – I walk alongside remarkable women and men on one of life’s most challenging journeys. These aren’t just cases in medical files. They’re the mother rushing from chemotherapy to her daughter’s soccer game, the executive leading conference calls between radiation sessions, the grandmother determined to be there for her grandchild’s graduation. Their strength isn’t just in surviving; it’s in how they keep living, loving, and dreaming while fighting the battle of their lives.
But it was a conversation that changed everything for me. One of my younger patients, said, “I want to be sure you have all the tools you need to help advocate for women like us – Black women. I don’t believe God led us both to where we are today by accident. We’re here to shift the paradigm. Thank you for helping me make the right decision by entering this clinical trial.” Her words struck like lightning, illuminating a truth I couldn’t unsee: this wasn’t just about medicine – it was about mission.
You see, behind the statistics lies a devastating reality: Black women are 41% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. This number represents mothers not seeing their children grow up, leaders not reaching their full potential, voices silenced too soon. In the halls of my job, I witnessed firsthand how underrepresentation of women of color wasn’t just a data point – it was a matter of life and death.
That’s why I founded Starting Point Pathways in 2022. We’re not just another non-profit; we’re a movement. Our mission goes beyond pamphlets and presentations – we’re attempting to breaking down barriers, entering communities of color, and transforming how women of color access and understand their treatment options. From the church basements to community centers, we’re having raw, honest conversations about breast cancer, clinical trials, and the power of representation.
What keeps me up at night? The rising rates of breast cancer in women under 45. These are women in their prime, with dreams barely unfolding, facing a diagnosis that threatens to rewrite their stories. But here’s what drives me: imagine if we could flip the script. Imagine if instead of reacting to cancer, we were armed with knowledge, empowered with resources, and supported by a community that understands our unique struggles.
When I enter a room to speak about clinical trials, I often face skepticism – generations of medical mistrust don’t dissolve overnight. But we’re not there to persuade; we’re there to listen, to understand, and to build bridges. Because change doesn’t come from pushing; it comes from meeting people where they are, honoring their stories, and showing them a path forward.
Within each woman I meet, I see an advocate waiting to emerge. Whether she’s sitting in a waiting room, considering a clinical trial, or supporting a loved one through treatment, her voice matters. It’s not just about surviving breast cancer; it’s about thriving through it, about ensuring that every woman – regardless of her skin color, zip code, or bank account – has access to the best possible care.
Yes, this journey has its dark days. There are setbacks that feel like mountains and frustrations that test our resolve. But then I think of my patients , of the countless women who deserve better, of the future we’re fighting for. And I know that every step forward, whether it impacts one life or thousands, is a step toward a world where breast cancer meets its match in the strength of women united.
The lessons I’ve learned from this journey are profound:
1. Our personal struggles often guide us toward our purpose
2. Real change requires both persistence and patience
3. The most powerful tool we have is our voice
4. Impact can come from meeting one person at the right moment
5. True healthcare must address the whole person – physical, mental, and emotional
Sometimes the most significant career moments aren’t grand gestures but quiet conversations that show us exactly where we need to be.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
As a registered nurse at one of Philadelphia’s leading teaching hospitals, I work alongside incredible individuals navigating various stages of their cancer journey – from those just beginning to process their diagnosis to those living with metastatic breast cancer. But my story begins with a vision that emerged from seeing firsthand how access to information and support can transform a patient’s journey.
My path to patient advocacy wasn’t a straight line. After earning my Public Health degree from Temple University, I felt called to direct patient care, which led me to pursue nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. Later, I expanded my expertise with a Master’s in Public Health Nursing from Johns Hopkins University. But it was during my time as a clinical research nurse at Penn where I discovered my true calling – the powerful intersection of research, patient advocacy, and health equity.
This passion gave birth to Starting Point Pathways, an organization born from a simple yet profound belief: every person facing a serious health challenge deserves not just care, but comprehensive understanding of their condition and all available treatment options. Drawing from seven years of connecting patients to clinical trials in academic settings, I’ve witnessed the often overwhelming gap between complex medical information and patient understanding – especially for those with limited resources.
What Sets Us Apart
At Starting Point Pathways, we don’t just provide information – we create pathways to hope. Our approach is holistic, recognizing that a health journey affects not just the body, but the mind, spirit, and family. We specialize in:
• Personalized Consulting & Support: Walking alongside newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, providing clear education about treatment options, and offering crucial emotional support strategies
• Patient Advocacy & Navigation: Serving as your voice in the healthcare system and breaking down complex medical terminology into understandable language
• Research Opportunity Access: Opening doors to potentially life-changing clinical trials and cutting-edge research studies
• Public Speaking & Education: Sharing knowledge through expert panels, social media engagement, and impactful presentations about breast cancer research and patient advocacy
A Moment That Defines Our Mission
One of my most treasured moments came during an Instagram Live session discussing clinical trials. A woman reached out, sharing that she had a rare form of breast cancer and was seeking hope through research opportunities. Through our network, we connected her with a groundbreaking trial at Duke University that matched her specific case. Her words still move me today: “Joining the Instagram Live may be the very thing that saves my life. God Bless you.”
This is why Starting Point Pathways exists – to be that crucial link between patients and possibilities. Whether it’s demystifying medical jargon, providing emotional support, or connecting someone to a life-changing clinical trial, we’re here to ensure no one walks their cancer journey alone.
When I’m not advocating for patients, you’ll find me cherishing time with family, losing myself in a good book, or exploring new places through travel. These moments of joy and connection remind me why the work we do is so vital – because every person deserves not just to survive, but to truly live.
Our promise to you is simple: wherever you are in your health journey, Starting Point Pathways will be here with the knowledge, support, and advocacy you need to move forward with confidence and hope.
Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?
In my years of working with breast cancer patients, I’ve learned that the most powerful skill isn’t found in textbooks or training manuals – it’s the art of deep, authentic listening. This isn’t just about hearing words; it’s about truly understanding the person sitting across from you, whose world has just been turned upside down by three devastating words: “You have cancer.”
When someone receives a cancer diagnosis, they’re not just processing medical information – they’re experiencing a profound life transformation. In these crucial moments, I’ve discovered that true care means creating a space where people feel seen, heard, and valued as complete human beings, not just as patients with a diagnosis.
My approach is grounded in what I call “compassionate presence.” This means:
– Meeting each person exactly where they are in their journey, without pushing or pulling
– Creating a safe space where questions are welcomed and fears can be voiced
– Empowering individuals to be their own strongest advocates
– Ensuring every person knows they have a partner in their healthcare journey
When discussing treatment options or research opportunities, I never focus on persuasion. Instead, I believe in equipping people with knowledge, answering their questions thoroughly, and supporting them in making informed decisions that align with their values and goals. This patient-centered approach has proven invaluable, especially when discussing clinical trials or exploring treatment options.
What truly drives me is providing the kind of care I would want for my own family – care that acknowledges both strength and vulnerability, that respects personal choice, and that never loses sight of the human spirit behind every medical chart. Because at the end of the day, success in healthcare isn’t just about medical outcomes – it’s about touching lives, building trust, and walking alongside people during some of their most challenging moments.
Remember, every person’s journey with cancer is unique, and our role is to illuminate the path forward while holding space for their individual experience. This philosophy has not only shaped my career but has led to deeper, more meaningful connections with those I serve – and ultimately, better outcomes for everyone involved.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
“I can do it all.”
These five words became both my mantra and my burden – a shield I carried proudly until it nearly broke me. As someone who built her career on independence and determination, asking for help felt like admitting defeat. I was juggling being a partner, raising a family, working full-time, and building a nonprofit from the ground up. On paper, I was living the dream. In reality, I was burning my candle at both ends.
My wake-up call wasn’t dramatic – it was the quiet accumulation of missed moments, exhausted evenings, and the growing realization that my superwoman cape was beginning to fray. Running Starting Point Pathways while maintaining a full-time career in nursing wasn’t just challenging; it was becoming unsustainable. Yet, the thought of reaching out for help felt foreign, almost like admitting failure.
The hardest lesson I had to unlearn wasn’t about capability – it was about control.
The turning point came when I finally opened up to my board members about my vision for the organization. What I expected to be a confession of my limitations turned into an enlightening conversation about possibilities. Their enthusiasm and willingness to contribute weren’t just supportive – they were transformative. Each conversation revealed new perspectives, innovative strategies, and approaches I hadn’t considered.
I discovered something powerful: vulnerability isn’t weakness – it’s the cornerstone of authentic leadership.
This revelation changed everything. Projects that once felt overwhelming became opportunities for collaboration. Ideas that seemed impossible found new life through shared expertise. My board members weren’t just advisors; they became partners in our mission to transform breast cancer care and research accessibility.
The irony wasn’t lost on me. Here I was, someone who dedicated her life to helping others navigate their cancer journeys, struggling to accept help in my own journey. The same advice I gave my patients – “You don’t have to face this alone” – became my own medicine to swallow.
Today, I lead differently. I understand that true strength isn’t in doing it all – it’s in building and trusting a community that shares your vision. When people say “it takes a village,” they’re not just talking about raising children; they’re talking about raising dreams, building organizations, and creating lasting change.
This unlearning journey taught me that independence and collaboration aren’t mutually exclusive – they’re complementary forces that, when balanced, create something far more powerful than either could achieve alone.
So here’s my truth: Sometimes the biggest act of leadership is admitting you don’t have all the answers, and the greatest strength lies in being brave enough to ask for help.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.startingpointpathways.com
- Instagram: Starting Point Pathways
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566839170882&mibextid=kFxxJD
Image Credits
Blake Saunders (Front Street Video)