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Pat Jones |
Some just take longer than others. Her latest dream took nine years.
Jones, assistant coordinator of UNMC’s Low Vision Clinic, who received the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ for the month of October, would rather talk about her dream than her award.
No matter the topic of conversation, she finds a way to turn it back to the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, for it’s the dream that’s coming true.
It’s a dream she has shared with her colleague, Kathy Von Dollen, the center’s coordinator, since she began working part-time at the Low Vision Clinic in 1998. Both are registered nurses. Together, they saw possibilities for a low vision house at UNMC.
The goal was discussed and passed around. It received a major boost a few years ago from a generous donor.
“It was the first step toward our dream becoming a reality,” Jones said.
The Weigel Williamson Center will be in a Low Vision House on the corner of 38th Avenue and Jones Street.
A nominator wrote: “Pat was diligent in keeping the dream alive. She worked tirelessly with the University of Nebraska Foundation and others to make the funding happen. She writes grants, letters and proposals, and arranges meetings. And when one door closes, she doesn’t give up. She looks for other opportunities.”
Jones admits that her job also has become her hobby.
“In our current clinic, Kathy and I do pretty much everything that is needed to operate the clinic,” she said. “That has been a fun aspect of my job since those needs are always evolving. I have a lot of flexibility and freedom in this position. I enjoy setting goals and persevering to reach those goals.”
Jones has achieved many goals, or dreams, in her life. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, S.D., in 1972. She then worked as a staff nurse for eight months, and later as coordinator of staff development for nursing services for seven years at UNMC.
When her son, Matt, arrived, she stayed home with him for 17 years, a role made possible by her husband’s position as vice president of Travel and Transport (he’s now retired). But, it wasn’t long before she found herself volunteering at the Low Vision Clinic, a position she held for 11 years before taking the part-time job.
“It’s satisfying to be a part of a service that provides renewed hope to people who face the challenges of living with low vision,” Jones said. “I like to help people who are visually impaired maintain their independence and improve their quality of life. It’s rewarding to hear comments, like the one from a 78-year-old patient with macular degeneration who said she can now again enjoy the good life after adapting to poor vision with the help of the UNMC Low Vision Clinic.”
Jones lives by certain principles — accept people as they are and their situation as it is; be kind and remember, everyone is fighting a hard battle; and finally, realize that all behavior has meaning.
A two-time Silver ‘U’ winner, Jones has been described as the poster person for excellence.
“Pat represents quality, caring, empathy and high standards. She strives to make each day better than the previous day and wants the best for each patient as well as each employee. She consistently goes above and beyond in everything she does,” said Kathy Austin, an administrator in ophthalmology.
Attending the groundbreaking ceremony for the Weigel Williamson Center for Visual Rehabilitation, which is scheduled to open in April 2008, was a surreal experience for Jones.
“I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. I was very excited,” she said, adding that after it was over, all she and Von Dollen could do was smile.
She acknowledges that the tremendous changes coming with the move to the center can be overwhelming.
“With the hiring of our new medical director, Dr. John Shepherd, it will be easier to make the move to the Low Vision House and to transition to a more comprehensive vision rehab program,” she said.
Always looking ahead, Jones has a new dream — to assist in raising $3 million for an endowment fund that will help support the new center.