Jenna Jacobs, a post-op registered nurse at Vail Health, has been named the 11th recipient of the Vail Health Elevate Award. Vail Health created the Elevate Award in June 2022 to allow patients and their families to nominate and thank employees who have touched their lives in some way.

Jacobs has worked the night shift at the Vail Valley Surgery Center Post-Anesthesia Care Unit for nine years and knew she wanted to be a nurse when she was 15 years old. Jacobs enjoys concerts, traveling and is an amazing cook. She loves dogs and is a loyal friend. She is a devoted daughter and cares for her mother who lives in Baltimore. Jacobs loves to get outdoors, and you can find her hiking our many trails nearby or paddling on her paddleboard on the lake in summer. She is an advocate for mental health and is vocal on social media to support the local community.

Jacobs was nominated by Matthew Gonzales of Salida, Colorado, for the post-surgery care she provided to his stepdaughter, Alexis, following her third surgery on her elbow.

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“My stepdaughter had four surgeries in three months. She required an elbow replacement, and the surgeries were all difficult and incredibly painful,” Gonzales said. “To understand the situation, it is important to understand Alexis’ mental situation. She had been through two, now three, very painful surgeries. She had been told three years ago after her original fall that she might lose her lower arm entirely.”

During her third surgery, Alexis’ incisions had not healed well enough to put in a new metal elbow. A fourth surgery would be required.

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“She was distraught and crying and had no idea what the future might hold,” said Gonzales. “Enter nurse Jenna. She immediately made the situation better with her calm demeanor and cheerful smile. Alexis was able to stop crying and to feel that things might work out after all.”

“Nurse Jenna stayed up with her all night and told her stories about her brother who was, like Alexis, a huge ‘Game of Thrones’ fan and her upcoming Halloween party. She told about her origins in Maryland (Alexis’s mom came from Annapolis) and injected love and hope back into Alexis’s life,” Gonzales said. “By the time morning came and it was time to pick Alexis up, she felt worlds better.”

Then a few weeks later, Alexis had her final, successful surgery.

“Nurse Jenna was again our post-operative nurse, and it was a moment fit for the ages,” Gonzales said. “Of course, she remembered us, and this time we were able to celebrate. She shared pictures of her Halloween costume and made us feel important and happy. Nurse Jenna had a huge part in Alexis’s recovery, and we will be forever grateful to her.”

The Elevate Award directly aligns with Vail Health’s mission of elevating health across the mountain communities it serves.

Patients and family members are encouraged to nominate staff who made a meaningful difference in their health care experience. Nominees can work in any area of the Vail Health healthcare system —including admissions, laboratory, surgery centers, Howard Head Sports Medicine, Shaw Cancer Center, Colorado Mountain Medical, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health and more.

To nominate Vail Health, Colorado Mountain Medical, Eagle Valley Behavioral Health, Howard Head Sports Medicine and Shaw Cancer Center staff, visit VailHealth.org/ElevateAward