2010 SCCPI Excellence in Pain Management Awardee

Jacqueline Close, RN

Palomar Pomerado Health System

Jackie is a Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist with the Palomar/Pomerado Health System. She is very proud to work at an organization where all facilities have earned Magnet status. Jackie is a nurse leader who models patient-centered nursing care where all nurses collaborate with colleagues every day to contribute to the health of their community. One of Jackie’s main priorities is to get family and staff to rethink how care is provided to older adults and how to better coordinate care across clinical settings - from the hospital to nursing home or home, wherever that may be. A large part of her focus is on the needs of the “frail” elderly.  She knows that having pain is not “just a natural part of growing older” and that much more can and should be done to treat pain in older adults.  When she treats a patient diagnosed with cancer, she consults the Palliative Care Team for pain and symptom management as well supporting the patient and families choices in their plan of care. Jackie is known to become very assertive about pain management because she says “no one deserves to tolerate pain when there is so much we can do to provide comfort both with medication and other modalities.”  Jackie, for your leadership, educational programs and dedication to relief of pain and suffering, we present you with this Award of Excellence. Congratulations!

Quote: " Passionate leader for the comfort and care of elders!"