Purpose and compassion have shaped Dr. Jackie Ward’s career at Texas Children’s.
As System Chief Nurse Executive, she leads thousands of nurses and prioritizes their support so they can deliver exceptional care to patients and families.
“You have to see people as people first, not just as someone wearing a badge,” Dr. Ward said. “When people know you care, they will give their very best.”
Dr. Ward developed this people-first philosophy early in life. She watched her mother spend 36 years at Texas Children’s and return home each day fulfilled and proud. That example sparked her interest in healthcare and defined her sense of purpose.
As a teenager, she shadowed many disciplines at Texas Children’s and planned to become a pediatrician. Over time, she chose a different path: one that combined clinical expertise with human connection.
“Nursing spoke to me through its nurturing side,” she said. “It’s both an art and a science.”
Dr. Ward began her career at Texas Children’s in 1993 as an inpatient hematology-oncology nurse. She cared for patients and families during their most vulnerable moments and learned to treat the whole person, not just the illness. She also built a deep respect for teamwork and the role collaboration plays in delivering high-quality care.
Dr. Ward carried these lessons into leadership. She leads with consistency, honesty and fairness and follows the hospital’s HEART values. She focuses on building an environment where nurses feel supported, valued and empowered to do their best work.
“Every day I ask myself what I can do to make the lives of our teammates better,” she said. “When we support one another and embrace our HEART values, there is nothing we cannot accomplish.”
In honor of International Women’s Day, Texas Children’s is proud to recognize women team members like Dr. Ward who shape the hospital’s culture and care. Women represent 83% of Texas Children’s workforce, including the 4,500 nurses who serve patients and families from around the world.
Their expertise, dedication and care are integral to the hospital’s mission and the countless lives they touch every day.
