In the Fall 2022, University of Phoenix celebrated the success of Dr. Sun Jones, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, the College of Nursing’s Systematic Plan for Evaluation and Curriculum leader, who won the 2022 March of Dimes Arizona HEROES IN ACTION Leadership Award.
This award recognizes the achievements of nurses as well as maternal and infant health providers who go above and beyond in Arizona. The award spans 15 categories including the Leadership Award which Jones won.
Dr. Sun Jones’ Outstanding Leadership in Nursing and Patient Care
The March of Dimes Arizona HEROES IN ACTION Leadership Award celebrates Jones’ outstanding leadership in nursing and patient care. Here, we’ll explore her leadership efforts over the past three decades.
Three Decades of Delivering, Advocating and Supporting Community Care
Jones has dedicated 27 years to delivering care and advocating and supporting community access to this care. She felt inspired to join the medical field when nurses cared for her daughter, who sadly died from the complications of a neuromuscular disorder at age three.
“I believe that my daughter’s passing and the challenges that I faced throughout my life made me more passionate about paying it forward through community services and striving to be compassionate and empathetic when taking care of my patients,” she said.
The Arizona Korean Nurses Association
In 2010, Jones co-founded the Arizona Korean Nurses Association to nurture a supportive community of individuals from marginalized backgrounds and fulfill community members’ health needs. From vaccination clinics to health screening, the Association continues to serve its community over 10 years on.
Jones reflected on the fact that her own family and friends haven’t received healthcare in the past because of language barriers and a lack of healthcare insurance. By founding the Arizona Korean Nurses Association, she could better serve her community. Jones has also expanded the services on offer to this community so other local underserved communities can benefit from them too.
Distributing Masks for Nurses During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In 2020, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Korean Nurses Association in South Korea donated more than 20,000 KN-95 masks to nurses who were working on the frontline.
Jones, who was the president of the Overseas Korean Nurses Association at the time, teamed up with 12 state associations and a team of international volunteers to distribute the personal protective equipment to these nurses.
Improving Access to COVID-19 Vaccines for Underserved Communities
In Spring 2021, when some underserved Hispanic and Asian communities couldn’t access COVID-19 vaccines because of language and technology barriers, Jones launched an initiative to help these community members receive their vaccines.
She collaborated with the communities’ leaders to establish 10 vaccination clinics that provided vaccines for over 2,300 individuals. Jones won an Arizona Governor’s Volunteer Service Pandemic Response Award for this work.
Becoming a University of Phoenix Instructor
Jones knew she wanted to get involved in education when a colleague told her that, by teaching, she could impact thousands of individuals beyond her patients. Jones became an educator in 2011 and has been teaching and mentoring nurse practitioner students at University of Phoenix ever since.
She also collaborates with colleagues to organize the nurse practitioner physical assessment residency program process, implementing resources designed to improve student outcomes and sharing the findings at a National Organization for Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) symposium in 2022.
“Dr. Jones brings her whole heart and a sense of community to all that she does, for patients and nursing students,” said the Dean of the College of Nursing at University of Phoenix Raelene Brooks, PhD, RN. “She leads from a position of service, always seeing how we can work together for the benefit of our communities’ health and well-being.”
About Dr. Sun Jones
Jones is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner who dedicates herself to improving nursing practice education. She has been practicing in Arizona for over two decades and now shares her experience and knowledge with students at University of Phoenix and Simmons College (Boston).
Jones supports the Korean community by voluntarily organizing activities like the Annual Flu Shot Event and the Korean Community Health Seminar. She has also presented as a guest and keynote speaker at several conferences.
Learn more about Jones’ award-winning community efforts.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is committed to advancing adult and nontraditional learners’ educational goals and to helping students navigate the degree programs and career options that best suit their interests. The University’s degree programs correspond with a variety of in-demand career paths including paths in cybersecurity, nursing and business. The University also offers several scholarship opportunities, flexible start dates and online classes so that anyone can earn the degree they desire. Additionally, the University’s Career Services for Life® commitment to students and graduates provides the resources needed to be prepared when entering the workforce for no additional charge. These free resources include career guidance, resume and interview support, and education and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
