Acuity Spotlight: Jacqueline Rodriguez Valdes, Chief Nursing Officer

The Acuity Spotlight is our way of highlighting some of the incredibly talented individuals that we’re lucky enough to have on our team. At Acuity, we value diversity and inclusion and focus our attention on bringing candidates who have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences onboard. Our mission is to build enduring relationships that provide secure, stable, and long-term predictable outcomes and we are grateful for the men and women of Acuity who embody our corporate values in everything they do.

When and why did you decide to become a nurse? What do you like most about being a nurse?

When I was fifteen, I realized the desire to provide care for others was innate. Caring for others is a passion and my driving force for choosing the nursing profession. Being there for my patients at their most vulnerable times and advocating for their well-being was all I wanted to do at an early age.

When I provide bedside care for patients and their loved ones, I take on the role of a family member, always upholding their best interests at the forefront. My aunt encouraged me to become a nurse leader to serve and motivate nurses who in turn will share in this altruistic vision. As a nurse leader, I have the privilege to mentor, motivate, and foster innovation and passion amongst our nursing team.

Can you describe a situation where you felt proud of your healthcare team?

In April 2020, we created a field hospital in New York City during the worst COVID-19 wave in the United States at the time. Nurses from all over the country came to the emergent call for help. This selfless team left their loved ones and the comfort of their homes to serve these critical patients by quickly making the altruistic decision to get on a plane and travel to the unknown that was waiting on the other side. This brave team arrived in New York with a variety of nursing backgrounds, training, and experience focused on one mission, to save lives. It was astonishing to see how this team of professionals melded to form a unified medical unit to provide compassionate nursing care during this most challenging, testing time.

How would you describe the work you do at Acuity and the impact it is making?

I have worked in this organization for five years and during this time we have provided high-quality nursing excellence in a variety of clinical environments. The nursing team champions lead the execution of medical programs such as shelter services, COVID-19 field hospitals, COVID-19 testing centers, emergency response support following natural disasters, mobile medical units, medical reviews, and performing occupational health exams in austere environments. The care provided by our nursing professionals cultivates evidence-based practices, and holistic and compassionate care, which is essential for providing clinical excellence for our examinees and patients.

Jacqueline Rodriguez Valdes, MSN, ARNP, FNP-BC, COHC, is the Chief Nursing Officer. You can connect with her at jrodriguezv@acuityinternational.com.