HARLAN, KY – Kellie Jones had just given birth to her second child when she began to evaluate her future.

“I was working at Wendy’s, and I just knew I didn’t want to do that forever,” recalled Jones, who married after graduating from Harlan County High School. “I knew working fast food wasn’t going to help me provide for my family.”

She said she realized she would need a degree, but with two young children to care for, she said she opted for “the next best thing” – a 16-week medical assistant program.

Four months later, with her certification in hand, she was hired at the ARH Daniel Boone Clinic.

“I had done my clinicals there and really enjoyed it,” she said.

Jones worked throughout the clinic over the next three years but then decided it was time to take another step toward her future.

“I realized I really enjoyed helping people and I also wanted the pursuit of knowledge, so I went into the nursing program at Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College,” she said. “I wanted to learn more so I could provide more advanced care.”

Equally important, she said, was that advancing her education would allow her the opportunity to better support her family while staying in her hometown of Harlan.

After graduating with her associate’s degree in nursing in May 2021, she was hired to work on the med surge/pediatrics floor at Harlan ARH Hospital. Before long, she was promoted to nightshift clinical nurse manager.

The following year, after obtaining her bachelor’s degree from Chamberlain University, she took a position as a staff nurse in the ICU.

“I absolutely loved it,” she said. “It was fast-paced and required a lot of critical thinking. It was a great opportunity.”

Though she enjoyed her time in the ICU, she said her family – the reason she went into nursing to begin with – needed a bit more of her attention.

“My 11-year-old son Kade has autism and has had a really difficult time,” she said.

So, in January, when an opening for an ARH Regional Utilization Review Coordinator – a work-from-home position – Jones took it.

“I’m really enjoying it,” she said of the position that requires her to work closely with insurance and doctors, following patients’ progress throughout their hospital stays. “I’m not providing hands-on care anymore, but I’m still helping patients and it still requires a lot of critical thinking.”

More importantly, she said it allows her to spend more time with Kade, her 13-year-old daughter Abrielle, and her husband Denny.

“It’s just so much better for my family,” she said. “I’m home when my son gets home from school and I’m here on the weekends.”

***

Jones was recently named the recipient of ARH’s monthly EDcellence Award, a system-wide recognition of employees who exemplify excellence in education and personal development.

“It was shocking,” she said of learning she had received the award. “I was surprised and really emotional when I found out.”

She said she is grateful for the recognition as well as for the opportunity to pursue her passion while providing the best life possible for her family.

“It’s such a blessing,” she said. “I’m so happy and honored to be able to help people and also care for my family.

“I’m just very thankful.”

# # #