Kalena Jones
Executive Director, Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation, Inc.
Arkansas Health Care Access Foundation, Inc. (AHCAF) is a nonprofit organization established in 1989 by the Arkansas Medical Society. AHCAF is a statewide volunteer health care program developed to help low-income, medically uninsured Arkansans gain access to non-emergency medical care, dental care and prescription services. AHCAF provides services to approximately 1,900 Arkansans each year. All services are provided by a network of more than 1,400 volunteer health care professionals (physicians, dentists, pharmacies, APNs, Department of Health, etc.) who have committed to donating their time and services to those in need.
On Power
People often underestimate the power of a young person. I’ve learned that age does not define your aptitude. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” —1 Tim. 4:12
I felt most powerful when I gave birth to my daughter. It was an amazing experience to meet someone for the first time and love them as if it had been a lifetime. A true sign of power is knowing the difference between what can and what cannot be changed.
On Motivation
My passion to serve and open doors of opportunity for others is what drives me. Knowing the accessibility gap to health care becomes smaller with each patient served makes me smile.
My career goal is to be recognized nationally as a leader in the nonprofit sector (and to beat my husband, Cory, at Scramble with Friends before the summer ends!).
On Success
For me, being successful is when my actions or words positively impact or change an individual’s life. If I can help just one, I have succeeded.
Typical Day
My go-to look for a power day is all in my pearls. Pearls symbolize purity, charity, honesty, wisdom and integrity. Although I possess all of these traits with or without them, my pearls are a constant reminder and set the stage for a powerful day.
The Quiz
- Favorite Destination in Arkansas? Hot Springs
- Favorite Restaurant? Grady’s Pizzas and Subs. While there, I usually enjoy a Hawaiian pizza or a club salad with Italian dressing.
(See the full list of the 2012 Women to Watch here!)