Jackie Baras, MSN, MBA, RN

(she/hers)

Jackie Baras, MSN, MBA, RN is the Director of LGBT Program, Director of Perioperative Quality and Director of Clinical Anesthesia Manager and OR techs for RWJ University Hospital in New Brunswick, New Jersey.  Jackie has more than 20 year experience of being a professional Registered Nurse. She has served the organization with multiple roles from Clinical Nurse, Head Nurse, Case Manager, Home care Planner, Nurse Educator, PI/Quality Manager and Director of Nursing in Skilled Nursing Facility. Jackie is both well respected as Nurse Leader and Transrights advocate in RWJ Barnabas Health (RWJBH) and community. She is known among various professional organizations both locally and nationally. She is a recipient of numerous awards in leadership, community outreach and scholarship. Jackie is pioneer in establishing the first LGBTQIA+ hospital based primary care clinic in the State of New Jersey called PROUD Family Health at RWJ Somerset and in 2020 she launched the PROUD Gender Center of NJ in New Brunswick, NJ-the first of its kind in the state to offer a broad and comprehensive range of services and experts specializing in LGBTQIA+ care in one central location. She is a major contributor in making RWJUH LGBT Healthcare Leaders by the Health Equality Index by the Human Rights Campaign. She is a founding member of the first Transgender Family support group called PROUD Transitions, first and one of a kind in the State of New Jersey and the Creator and Founder of the first combined Education and Support group called PROUDLY ME “Eduport”’ program. Her lived experiences and personal story have serve as an inspiration to many Trans individuals and family members, who gather together to learn and support each every month. Also, Jackie is the lead facilitator of the PROUD Advisory Council, a group of self- identified members of the community whose goal is to identify emerging issues that may impact the current healthcare needs of the LGBTQIA community. Jackie serves as Chair of the Business Resource Group called BRG-PROUD (Promoting Respect Outreach Understanding and Dignity). She had made tremendous efforts in changing hospital policies including Patient bill of rights, visitation guidelines, equal employment opportunity, patient access registration, creation of new patient’s ID band, and inclusion of gender affirming related health care benefits and coverage among transgender employees. In 2017, PROUD BRG was awarded the Business Impact Above and Beyond award from the Diversity Best Practices’ Network & Affinity Leadership Congress. The group was selected from among 100 award nominations.

Jackie Baras is 2020 NJ Biz Nurse of the Year, 2020 Wells Fargo Community MVP award, and 2020 NYC Red Bulls Homegrown Hero. Jackie was recently awarded as the 2021 LGBTQ Community Service Award by the PRIDE Center of NJ and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital’s Virginia H. Joseph Award for her significant and enduring contributions to the quality of life and pride of NJ LGBTQIA+ Community. Lastly, Jackie is NJ’s BIZ Health care POWERHOUSE 50 and NJ Biz’s 2021 Next generation of leaders list, which she was designated as one of the most influential healthcare executive in the State of NJ.

Jackie serves as immediate past Board of Director of Garden State Equality, the largest advocacy organization of LGBTQIA community in state of NJ and currently the President of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey with almost 1000 members.