It Takes a Village: Support Shapes a Nursing Journey

Hollingshead benefits from Foundation support in going from student to one of Iowa’s best

When Jacque Hollingshead reflects on her career, one phrase comes to mind: it takes a village.

It’s not just a saying. It is her story.

Jacque, now the Nurse Manager of the Intensive Care Unit at Mary Greeley Medical Center, has been named one of the 100 Great Iowa Nurses of 2026, a prestigious recognition honoring nurses who go above and beyond in their profession. But ask her about the achievement, and she’s quick to shift the focus.

“No one succeeds alone,” she says. “I’m living proof of that.”

Jacque’s journey at Mary Greeley began in 2011 as a patient care technician on the medical telemetry unit. At the time, she was a college student navigating uncertainty and financial challenges, unsure how she would complete nursing school, let alone build a long-term career in healthcare.

What she found at Mary Greeley was more than a workplace. It was a support system.

“With Mary Greeley’s tuition assistance, I made it through nursing school,” Jacque says.

That support didn’t stop there. Over the years, the Mary Greeley Foundation—and the donors who make its work possible—continued to invest in Jacque’s growth. Through scholarships, certification funding, and professional development opportunities, she advanced from bedside care to leadership.

Her path included time as a registered nurse in the Intensive Care Unit, and later as a leader in nursing education and workforce development. Today, she leads a team of approximately 40 caregivers in the ICU, one of the hospital’s most critical care environments.

“The recognition I’ve received, including 100 Great Iowa Nurses, is really a reflection of the support I’ve had along the way,” Jacque says.

That support has come in many forms, most notably through programs designed to strengthen and retain Mary Greeley’s workforce. Jacque was instrumental in helping launch the Workforce Growth and Development Program, which provides financial assistance for certifications, continuing education, and career advancement.

“I saw such a need,” she says. “And what makes Mary Greeley unique is that through the Foundation, we’re able to support our staff in becoming certified and growing their skills in ways that many organizations simply can’t.”

That investment directly impacts patient care.

Certified nurses bring advanced knowledge, sharpened clinical judgment, and a commitment to continuous learning. At Mary Greeley, that expertise is shared across teams through a strong culture of collaboration and shared governance, ensuring that new knowledge translates into better bedside care.

“I truly believe our patients receive the best possible care because of the level of education and certification our nurses have,” Jacque says.

It’s a philosophy that extends beyond individual careers.

“When one person grows, it benefits everyone,” Jacque says. “The support from the Foundation creates a ripple effect. It strengthens our teams, improves our practice, and ultimately enhances the care we provide to our community.”

That ripple effect is something she sees every day in her role as a leader.

“What gets me up in the morning is the people,” she says. “When you take care of your team, they take exceptional care of patients. And we see that every day.”

The 100 Great Iowa Nurses program, supported by healthcare organizations across the state including Mary Greeley, recognizes nurses who exemplify clinical excellence, leadership, and compassion. For Jacque, the honor is deeply meaningful.

“I hope donors know how much they’re adding value to this community,” she says. “Because of their support, we’re able to recruit, retain, and develop the best nurses to care for our patients.”

As she continues her journey, which now includes pursuing a doctorate in health systems administration, Jacque remains grounded in the same belief that carried her from her earliest days as a patient care technician.

It takes a village.

And at Mary Greeley, that village includes donors, colleagues, mentors, and a Foundation committed to investing in people.

“Your contributions go far beyond dollars and cents,” she says. “They create pathways for people to grow, to lead, and to serve in ways they never thought possible.”

 For Jacque and for countless others, that investment is shaping the future of healthcare, one caregiver at a time.