Member Spotlight: Elizabeth J. Jackson, ACNS-BC, FNLA

A passionate supporter of the National Lipid Association (NLA) and an advocate of clinical lipidology, Elizabeth (Beth) Jackson is a woman of many talents. Jackson works as a clinical nurse specialist and clinical lipid specialist with Edward R. Chafizadeh, MD, at CardioTexas in Austin, Texas. Some states do not work with clinical nurse specialists in the same capacity, but Jackson’s role is an advanced practice provider specializing in cardiology and lipidology. Jackson sees both inpatients (consults and follow-ups) and outpatients, so her patient care extends from preventive cardiology to post-surgical patients.

So what is a regular work day like for her? Well, that depends on the week. Jackson says that she rotates from office to hospital on a somewhat irregular schedule, so there is no work day that is the same as another.

“I see anywhere from 15 to sometimes over 30 patients in the clinic,” says Jackson, “and we follow our existing patients when hospitalized. We rotate with other providers to cover the hospital by week and on weekends. When I am on for hospital coverage, I see existing patients and any consults, plus cover both exercise and nuclear stress testing.”

When asked about the best part of her job, Jackson said: “Learning something new every day and the people I get to surround myself with — both patients and coworkers. My colleagues, from the office and nursing staff, to the advanced practice providers and physicians, are top of the line and we work as a team. All of us wish to elevate the level of comprehensive care for our patients, which is challenging as we have a very large patient population!”

Jackson says she and her fellow staff members strive to create an environment not only for the best care for their patients, but one that facilitates learning and embracing the most up-to-date research findings and medical treatment options. In addition to her day-to- day work, Jackson went on a medical mission trip to Haiti in 2012 — two years after the earthquake struck. There, she did clinics at various places around the area affected by the earthquake and met some amazing survivors.

Jackson says that she would like to see greater awareness about the field of lipidology, and for others to grasp the understanding that there is no “cap” on lipidology. She says that prevention strategies and effectively achieving plaque regression in a way that offers minimal side effects and positive outcomes is the ultimate goal. She hopes that others gain a better understanding of the interplay of the multiple mechanisms affecting plaque development and progression.

Jackson first became interested in lipidology upon attending Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association (PCNA) meetings back in the 1990s, and found herself loving the science more than anything else. As someone with significantly high cholesterol in the family, Jackson focused a great deal of attention toward understanding lipid metabolism. Jackson went on to say that: “One of the best things that ever happened for my professional career was getting involved with the National Lipid Association. My interest has never faded and there is always something new to learn.”

Jackson’s journey with the NLA began when she was recommended by the PCNA as a candidate for the Southwest Lipid Association board in 2006. Jackson started there and didn’t look back.

“The activities I have been involved in during my volunteering with the NLA have introduced me to incredible scientists, researchers, and clinicians all with similar goals,” she says.

Serving as President of SWLA surely helped build these relationships and facilitated Jackson’s understanding of the organization. Jackson said that becoming a certified clinical lipid specialist has opened so many doors, and has catapulted her career by providing her with speaking roles, consultations, and patient referrals. She looks forward to NLA meetings every year for the educational and networking opportunities.

“The education offered within the NLA is endless,” she says.

When Jackson is not in the clinic or the office, she is spending time with her two teenage daughters, her supportive husband, and her pets (three dogs and a cat). She says her family loves traveling and watching movies. Their favorite form of exercise or recreation is swimming — something that Jackson did competitively as a member of the Texas A&M University Swimming Team. Jackson went on to say that Austin is a great city to raise a family and to do all things outdoors. You can find her and her family on their next adventure in 2016 — rock climbing!

Written by Membership and Marketing Coordinator Nichole Vanderpool.