Meet Jackie Tibbs: One of the People Caring for You

When people think about surgery, they often think about the surgeon. While surgeons certainly play an important role, every successful operation is built upon an entire team of professionals working together with one shared purpose: caring for you.

At Horizon Health, one of those people is Jackie Tibbs, RN, BSN, Surgical Services Charge Nurse.

Attention to Detail

Long before a patient enters the operating room, Jackie is already making sure every detail is exactly where it needs to be. She helps coordinate the countless moving parts that make surgery possible—patients, staff, equipment, scheduling, communication, and above all, safety. She is one of the quiet leaders behind the scenes whose work allows everyone else to do theirs.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Jackie is her calm presence. She also believes in doing things the right way. Some of us affectionately tease Jackie for being a stickler for the rules.

Operating rooms are remarkable places, but they are not naturally safe environments. Safety is something that must be built intentionally, one careful decision at a time. Every safety check. Every verification. Every conversation. Every protocol exists for one reason: to protect the patient. Jackie understands that better than anyone.

Leadership in Action

Jackie quietly raises the expectations for all of us, and because of that, every member of our surgical team becomes just a little bit better. That is leadership.

As Charge Nurse, Jackie has become one of the foundations of our surgical department. She is the kind of colleague physicians, nurses, anesthesia professionals, and surgical technologists instinctively rely upon. She has an incredible ability to bring order to busy days, solve problems before they become obstacles, and help every member of the team succeed.

When unexpected challenges arise—and in surgery they always do—Jackie is often one of the first to step forward, not because anyone asks her to, but because that’s simply who she is.

Committed to Excellence

Outside the hospital, Jackie is a marathon runner. It turns out that marathon runners and great healthcare professionals have a lot in common. Neither is looking for shortcuts. Both understand that success comes from preparation, discipline, consistency, and taking one thoughtful step after another until the finish line is reached. That steady mindset has become part of the culture of our surgical department.

Jackie is also a devoted mother whose love extends well beyond her own children. She has opened her home and her heart to children who needed one more person to believe in them, reminding all of us that caring isn’t something you turn on when you come to work. It’s simply who you are.

Jackie has a remarkable gift for putting people at ease. She connects naturally with patients, earns the respect of physicians, and is deeply appreciated by her coworkers. She understands that every person coming through our doors is someone’s parent, spouse, child, sibling, or best friend. She never loses sight of the privilege and responsibility that comes with caring for another human being.

The People Behind Great Care

People often ask what makes Horizon Health special. Yes, we have modern equipment. And we continue to bring new procedures and advanced surgical techniques to our community. But the true strength of Horizon Health has never been our buildings or our technology. It’s our people.

So, if you ever find yourself coming to Horizon Health for surgery, know that behind the scenes is an entire team working tirelessly on your behalf.

And among that team is someone like Jackie—a trusted leader, a compassionate caregiver, and one of the many reasons families throughout our community can feel confident placing their care in our hands.