Jessica Polk

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT JESSICA POLK

I am a purpose-driven healthcare leader with a strong foundation in nursing and public health, committed to advancing equity, quality, and innovation across the care continuum. With over a decade of experience spanning inpatient, ambulatory, and community-based settings, I specialize in leading cross-functional teams to improve outcomes for vulnerable populations.My journey began with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Jacksonville State University and a transformative Semester at Sea focused on Global Health across Europe and North America. This experience ignited my passion for population health and laid the foundation for systems-level thinking. I later earned a Master of Public Health in Health Promotion and Behavioral Science from San Diego State University and a Doctor of Public Health from Georgia Southern University.Today, I lead strategic initiatives at the intersection of clinical excellence and population health—aligning value-based care goals with operational workflows, stakeholder engagement, and performance improvement. I thrive on developing scalable solutions that close care gaps, elevate team performance, and empower patients through data-informed, person-centered strategies.My leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, accountability, and a relentless drive to improve health outcomes especially for those most at risk. I am passionate about mentoring emerging leaders, optimizing healthcare delivery, and transforming fragmented systems into cohesive, equitable care models.I am also an engaged member of the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing where I currently serve on the Leadership Development and Nominating Committee and actively collaborate with national leaders to shape the future of ambulatory nursing.