GRIT Award Winner 2024: Ola Mae Jackson

Ola Mae Jackson, Champion

Ola came to the PYC school -based clinic 5 years ago and although having never worked previously in school -based care, she took to it immediately.  She has a gentle compassionate nature that underlies her entire being. Ola cares deeply for every student who comes into our clinic and takes great effort to get to know each of them. She offers so many things:  a soft shoulder for sadness, disappointment, anxiety, and sometimes despair, calls them out on inappropriate language or behavior challenging them to be their best selves, and mostly, just meets them exactly where they are at – at that moment of that day.

Additionally, Ola has worked hard to make our clinic a very welcoming, teen friendly space, really second to none.  She routinely has new ideas challenging our clinical flow, operational processes, or the physical space, which creates the most inviting experience possible. Ola has such energy and passion for this model which is what makes her such a champion.  I believe it is because of her that nearly every student who passes through PYC high school makes a visit to our clinic.