Joyce Jiggetts

Joyce Jiggetts

Joyce N. Jiggetts, RN, BSN, CMHRP, was born on June 6, 1964, in South Hill, Virginia. Her journey into healthcare began with a deep childhood love for science and caring for others. After gaining a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hampton University in 1987, Joyce embarked on a career dedicated to nursing, specifically in the reproductive care sector. In 1995, Joyce joined the Durham County Health Department, where she became a vocal advocate for maternal health. Her tenure at Durham County Health Department marked the beginning of her relentless pursuit of equitable healthcare for underserved populations. Later around 2017, she officially joined the Duke Health system as part of what would later become the Baby-Love/CMHRP (Care Management for High-Risk Pregnancies) program. Joyce has made significant contributions to maternal health. An integral part of the CMHRP, Jiggetts actively contributes to a groundbreaking initiative that pairs high-risk pregnant women covered under Medicaid with pregnancy care managers. In this multifaceted role, she serves as a coach, counselor, and nurse, leveraging her skills to contribute to healthier outcomes for both mothers and babies. Through CMHRP, she provides holistic care that addresses the unique challenges faced by each patient. Her work with CMHRP goes beyond conventional medical care and provides patients with resources including diapers, strollers, clothes, and food for mother and baby, often through collaboration with community organizations. As Joyce says herself “Whatever they need, if we can't do it, we find somebody who does.” Outside of the CMHRP program, she continues to be actively involved in reproductive health equity. Joyce serves as a founding member of the Black Maternal Health Equity Initiative, a program that pairs pregnant mothers with high-risk pregnancies with medical students, who can provide support and help explain complex medical conditions. Overall, Jiggetts distinguishes herself through a commitment to patient-centered care. She prioritizes connecting patients to resources, advocating for their needs, and encouraging self-advocacy. Her comprehensive healthcare approach and active participation in various programs underscore a commitment to prioritize the overall well-being of patients, aiming to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Full Interview Audio:

Interview Topic Log

00:00 Introduction to career and background 1:33 Professional journey and background (briefly) 4:08 Brief story about 5:27 Details of her entry into her career and decision to become an registered nurse. 6:43 Discussion of challenges faced by mothers with low socioeconomic status 8:48 Details of Joyce Jiggetts experience as a Black woman and as a Black nurse. 11:52 Her journey into Duke Health 14:46 How and why she became part of the CMHRP/Baby-Love program. How the program works. 18:57 Details of how the program had aided families and/or mothers of low SES (including at the community level). 20:37 Joyce Jiggetts provides further details about aspects of the program. 23:39 Details of Joyce Jiggetts’ average day working as a high-risk pregnancy manager. 26:24 A memorable story of significance in her career 28:20 Her process of interacting with patients 31:56 Her time working in a prison and a story of great signifance while working there. 39:21 Involvemenet in the Black Maternal Health Equity Initiative. 42:02 The positive impact of the program. 43:10 Briefly describing her time on a podcast. 44:39 Discussion around Black mental health and her own history with this. 49:14 Ms. Jiggetts tells a story and details her time at Lincoln Health Center. 53:33 How the CMHRP program has changed over time. 55:58 What makes the Duke CMHRP program unique. 57:25 Her personal experience with Black maternity and the healthcare system. 1:00:16 Suggestions she has to help alleviate some of the disparities seen in Black maternal health. 1:03:36 Brief discussion on if Joyce Jiggetts sees herself as an activist or agent of change.

Link to Full Interview Transcript