Editor’s Note: We are profiling the McKnight’s 2020 Women of Distinction honorees daily through the program’s July 28 online awards ceremony. To register or learn more about this digital celebration, the Forum the next day (which offers three free continuing education credits July 29) and the program in general, visit this website.
Raven Jackson has worked in the long-term care industry since the age of 18, serving in just about every capacity — from laundry aide to administrator — at a handful of Florida skilled nursing facilities.
In 2018, she was an administrator at Gulf Coast Health Care in Panama City when Hurricane Michael hit. She and her team sheltered in place with 142 residents for 48 hours, afterward overseeing the safe evacuation of all residents.
As administrator for Suwannee Health & Rehabilitation Center in Live Oak, FL, Jackson now oversees the day-to-day operations of the 180-bed facility, which also has an in-house dialysis suite.
She also is an assistant adjunct professor at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in the healthcare management division. She performs mock interviews, sharing her experiences as a nursing home administrator and resources to assist students in entering the healthcare industry.
Beyond her nursing home administrator’s license, Jackson earned an undergraduate degree and an executive master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Central Florida, as well as a Ph.D. in public health from Walden University.
Committed to community service, Jackson has organized back-to-school drives, street cleanups and community health and wellness fairs. She has chaired a five-kilometer walk/run charity committee that raised more than $15,000, spearheaded HERstory projects and organized women empowerment conferences.
As a Big Brother Big Sister Mentor 2.0 program volunteer, she has mentored students at the high school and college levels. She has served four years on the executive board for the Revival Faith Center Ministries International Life Enrichment Center in Tallahassee, FL, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
The McKnight’s Women of Distinction program is jointly administered by McKnight’s Senior Living and McKnight’s Long-Term Care News. The program’s Diamond sponsor is PointClickCare. Silver sponsors are OnShift and PharMerica, and the Signature sponsors are Acadia Pharmaceuticals and Enquire.
