When she retires in March, Barbara Jones will have performed 30 years’ worth of ultrasounds and treated countless women and babies at Novant Health WomanCare.
She’s the longest-running sonographer at the network, which provides comprehensive gynecologic, obstetric and midwifery care for expectant mothers. Novant Health WomanCare treats OB-GYN patients in Winston-Salem, Clemmons and Kernersville, and is celebrating its 30th anniversary on Aug. 1.
Jones has long been a calming presence during what are often the most sensitive and sometimes heartbreaking moments in a patient’s life.
“I try to give them some hope without overstepping my bounds,” Jones says.
Over the years, Jones has been able to share good news with some patients who had faced miscarriages. Those moments, she said, are the ones she will remember forever.
Jones grew up on Puget Sound outside of Seattle, Washington, and later, in the mid-1980s, started a family in North Carolina. When an aptitude test suggested sonography as a profession, Jones decided to pursue it. She has never looked back.
The mother of three will soon welcome her eighth grandchild. Jones, who will retire at 65, says she’s most looking forward to spending that time with those who inspired her to pursue sonography – her family.
Exceptional care for you and your growing family.
What do you remember about your first days at WomanCare?
Before joining WomanCare, I was coming off of filling in for a sonographer (at another clinic) who had been out on maternity leave. In the meantime, I accepted the WomanCare job, and am so glad I took it. We usually go into our first job because it’s available. But I stayed because, for years and years, they treated me like a piece of glass that would break if they dropped me.
I get teary talking about it, because I have just been so blessed. I had been a bank teller and a receptionist, but I needed to do something else. So when I took an aptitude test in community college, ultrasound was on there and I thought, “That sounds perfect.”
Were you a mother at the time?
Yes. Having ultrasounds for my own kids helped push me to pursue it as a career. It’s not that somebody who isn’t a mom couldn’t do a fabulous job. But I think if you have that experience, it changes your view and gives you a bit more perspective. Every day I’m so excited for these scans, but there’s also an element of nerves along with it.
How do you approach each day as you begin work?
We do OB and GYN, so it’s not all expectant moms. People are also coming in for pain. I’m always hoping the day goes well, and I’m also excited about the challenge: “Am I going to rock this today?” My biggest fear is getting behind, which drives me crazy.
Before I was doing ultrasounds, I asked a lady in oncology, “How do you do that all day?” And she said, “I’m glad I’m here. I know I’m taking good care of my patients.” And I get it, because that’s also my goal. We would love for everybody to have a perfect outcome, of course. And I know that I’m taking care of our patients to the best of my ability.
On some level, it sounds as if you’re often doubling as a therapist.
I think everybody who works in health care does. And sometimes, you just need to listen and let them cry. And maybe you don't have to say anything. Sometimes there are no words. They don’t need words; they need a hug.
How has the technology evolved for ultrasounds, and how do you photograph a moving target?
The equipment has changed a lot. We now have cine loops, so we can freeze the image at just the right time to catch the heartbeat, scroll back and take pictures. We also have 3D and 4D capabilities, which we didn’t have when I started.
How does retirement look for you?
My first month, I’m going to sleep. On March 1, I will have been with WomanCare for 30 years. And I’m going to miss it. My patients give me a lot of joy and a lot of energy every day. I love to show people their babies, and I love my GYN patients as well. I’m going to miss it, but I’ve got to have some energy to play with my grandbabies, so it’s time for another chapter. I don’t care about travel. I care about the staycation.
