Downey nurse who was instrumental in PIH’s Covid-19 response is named Woman of the Year

DOWNEY — Stephanie Jones, a nurse at PIH Health Hospital in Downey, has been named 2021’s Woman of the Year by state Sen. Bob Archuleta. 

Jones was selected from a group of nominees who have served the 32nd Senate District during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“This year’s Woman of the Year, Stephanie Jones, in her capacity as clinical director of both the surgery and sterile processing departments at PIH Health Hospital in Downey, has been an inspiration to staff, guiding them as, together, they face the day-to-day challenges of treating patients during this unparalleled public health crisis,” Archuleta said.

At PIH Downey, Jones was instrumental in developing hospital protocol minimizing both patient and hospital staff exposure to Covid-19. 

Her 35 years of experience as a nurse and leader were cited as being vital during the pandemic. 

“I am truly honored to be selected as 32nd Senate District Woman of the Year,” Jones said.  “As an RN, I have always been passionate about caring for our community. The Covid-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges and it has been a privilege to be part of a team leading efforts to help create innovative ways of providing excellent patient care.”

In the past year, Jones has served as the Operations Section Chief on the PIH Health Downey Hospital Command Center team. In this role, she developed processes for personal protective equipment use, enhanced patient care protocols, collaborated with nursing leaders to open additional Covid-19 units, served on the proning team (process relieving pressure on the lungs) in the Intensive Care Unit, and provided emotional support to staff and patients alike.

Her all-hands-on-deck approach to the pandemic guided employees as they shifted to new roles of patient care to meet the growing staffing needs. 

Jones, whose two sisters are nurses at PIH Health, has shown compassion, with a heightened awareness, for the emotional well-being of patients and team members, and has worked with key stakeholders to provide solutions to staffing, equipment and space challenges.

“We are delighted that Stephanie was named 32nd Senate District Woman of the Year,” said PIH Health President and CEO James West. “Her dedication to our community is unwavering and she is an exemplary nurse modeling dedication and compassionate care. She has been a leader at PIH Health Downey Hospital for the past 20 years and has been a key player in our efforts to manage the pandemic.”