Jennie Gates is a member of Nursing One’s Executive Council. Jennie graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) in 2014. As a student, Jennie had the opportunity to complete a clinical rotation in Nairobi, Kenya. This experience impacted her so much that she chose to begin her nursing career in public health. During her time in nursing school, Jennie was afforded many leadership opportunities including serving as the President of the Student Nursing Association on campus. Jennie cites her experiences in nursing education as the catalyst for her success in her current role as a Manger of the Columbus Public Health Strategic Nursing Team. In Jennie’s role with the Columbus Public Health (CPH) Department, she embodies the mission of CPH to protect the health and improve the lives of nearly 1 million residents of Central Ohio by working with community partners. 

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The team led by Jennie teaches new CPH employees about Naloxone. She also works with the “Stop the Bleed” program which is a training program designed to teach people how to save lives by using tourniquets and pressure on bleeding wounds. She also works with her peers by offering community health screenings and teaches health prevention activities to help reduce chronic diseases in our community. This year the number of Flu Vaccines given to students at the Columbus School Systems increased by nearly 41% in a few months with only 12 nurses under Jennie’s leadership. Additionally, Jennie gives back to nursing students by serving as a preceptor. In this role, she has been able to share her passion for Public Health Nursing and spread the word that every nurse has a role and a stake in public health. Recognizing prevention as the key to our Country’s health crisis. Jennie finds all aspects of her role as a Public Health Nurse rewarding and in 2017 became a certified lactation counselor to provide breastfeeding counseling, support, and management to families who are thinking about breastfeeding or who have problems related to breastfeeding. Currently, Jennie is leading a team to help with COVID-19 vaccinations as a program manager, vaccinating over 1,000 people each week.