Meet Jean

Jean is a visionary health care leader with over 30 years of executive experience serving the older adult population. She is a proven collaborator known for the innate ability to inspire new thinking in others while repositioning organizational strategy to achieve desired results. Acknowledged by her peers for applying best practice approaches and significantly improving seniors’ quality of care, Jean brings practical, consultative guidance to healthcare, community, and business leaders from the unique perspective of the frontline employee. She has worked as a healthcare executive, college professor, consultant, and strategic advisor for large and small health systems across the United States.

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Jean is a self-taught, dedicated expert in trauma-informed care and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and she founded Radical Sabbatical to help others turn adversity into advocacy. With a deep understanding of the profound effects trauma can have on development and well-being, Jean brings a compassionate, evidence-based approach to support individuals and communities on their healing journey. Recognizing that every individual's experience with trauma is unique, Jean integrates both the science of ACEs and the art of trauma-informed care to create environments of understanding, resilience, and empowerment. With a commitment to illuminating the shadows cast by trauma and fostering a culture of holistic healing, Jean's expertise not only encompasses the technical knowledge but also the heartfelt understanding that true recovery requires.

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Jean began working in senior care as a Certified Nursing Assistant in the late 1980’s in a skilled nursing facility while studying social work at The University of Nebraska-Omaha. At the time, nursing homes were beginning to implement sweeping reform codified in The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 (OBRA ’87).  Witnessing this transformation on the frontline, Jean learned how to effectively translate public policy into operational and quality standards for seniors.

 

This early work inspired her to move to Washington, DC where she worked on Capitol Hill as a Congressional aide to Senator Jim Exon. Ms. Hartnett addressed and researched constituent concerns related to health policy issues. After leaving the Hill, Jean began her work as a health and social services reform advocate managing grants and programs that promoted an individual’s move from welfare to work. She led a nation-wide child care subsidy program for AmeriCorps volunteers while beginning her master’s program in health services administration at The George Washington University. After graduation, Jean became a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator and led the operations for comprehensive skilled nursing facilities and continuing care retirement communities throughout Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

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Jean is a dynamic communicator with a captivating style of relating real world senior care experiences to her audiences. Her natural curiosity and belief in “people power” has afforded her a rich and diverse career path in managing and leading complex health care organizations, leading nation-wide consulting engagements and bringing the board room into the classroom. She willingly shares her knowledge in a relatable and engaging way that promotes mindful conversation amongst individuals, teams, board members, students and community stakeholders.

 

Jean earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from The University of Nebraska Omaha and a Master’s in Health Services Administration with Long Term Care Specialty from The George Washington University. Jean is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Certified Yoga instructor and a Certified Nursing Assistant.