Jackie Fitzgerald, FNP-C, is a Family Nurse Practitioner supporting both occupational and family medicine programs within Franciscan WorkingWell and HEALTHeACCESS. She joined Franciscan in 2025 and brings over a decade of experience in healthcare, beginning her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, advancing to bedside nursing, and ultimately earning her nurse practitioner certification. Throughout her professional journey, she has cultivated expertise in preventive medicine, injury care, acute and chronic disease management, and patient education.
Jackie earned her Associate of Science in Nursing from the University of Saint Francis in Crown Point, Indiana, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana. She later completed her Master of Science in Nursing with a Family Nurse Practitioner focus at Indiana Wesleyan University. Her diverse clinical background includes medical-surgical, orthopedic, and pediatric care, which has provided a strong foundation for her work in occupational medicine, particularly in evaluating, treating, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries among working adults.
Her calling to healthcare began with a deeply personal experience: her father’s battle with renal cell carcinoma. The compassion shown by a close friend who was an oncology nurse inspired Jackie to pursue nursing and instilled in her a lifelong commitment to providing the same empathy and guidance to others during their most vulnerable moments. That sense of purpose continues to shape her approach to care today, rooted in attentive listening, thoughtful education, and empowering patients to be active participants in their health.
Jackie’s philosophy emphasizes collaboration, compassion, and evidence-based practice. She strives to ensure patients understand their conditions, treatment options, and the reasoning behind medical recommendations. She encourages lifestyle modifications as a first step toward better health and uses the lowest effective medication doses whenever possible. Her goal is for every patient to leave a visit feeling heard, supported, and confident in their care plan.
Within the occupational health setting, Jackie values the unique opportunity to spend more time with each patient, providing thorough, personalized care that aligns with both individual and employer wellness goals. She works closely with employers to promote workplace safety, prevent injuries, and ensure employees are medically fit for their job duties. Her collaborative approach fosters not only better health outcomes but also stronger trust between patients, employers, and the clinical team.
Outside of the clinic, Jackie enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending quality time with her husband and young son. Together, they’ve explored more than 20 national parks and forests, and when they’re not outdoors, you can often find them cheering on their favorite football and baseball teams. A former culinary arts professional, she still finds joy in the kitchen—often sharing her latest recipes and baked treats with coworkers.
For Jackie, healthcare is more than a profession—it’s a privilege. Every patient encounter is an opportunity to deliver compassionate, high-quality care and to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.