Jessica Barney 34 Occupation: Department administrator of internal medicine, SIU School of Medicine Email: jbarney@siumed.edu Education: MBA, Master's in nursing leadership Family: Husband, Justin; children, Noah and Sophia; Mom, Reny Drendel and sibling, Adam Drendel Affiliations/community activities: SIU Internal Medicine Community Advisory Board; volunteer with children's programs at West Side Christian Church What is your guiding principle in life? My mother and my husband taught me to focus on what you can control, work hard and always move forward.
What led you to your current career? I wanted to be a veterinarian until my grandfather had a heart attack and almost passed away. While in the hospital, he reflected on how much he enjoyed the nurses that were caring for him. He said, "That is what you should do, be a nurse and care for people like me." I made the decision to become a nurse–one of the best decisions I ever made. What would you like to give back to your community? A continued focus on quality care. Not only through the organization where I work but on a broader scale in the community.
What do you wish your younger self had known when you started on this path? It is always better to use your voice. As a nurse I advocated for patients and that is where I found my voice. It made me a better person and a better leader.
What's the best purchase (under $100) you've made in the last six months? Board games. Our family loves them. It is a great way to unwind and spend quality time together.