Donna Roberts is TK Health's Chief Nursing Officer. Her 20-year nursing career includes work in medical-surgical unit, cardiac telemetry, surgical practice, and correctional nursing. Her experience in corrections includes overseeing Continuous Quality Improvement and administering health programs for facilities as large as 1,800 inmates. Donna is responsible for ensuring the efficient operation of every facility we serve. She also has Certified Correctional Health Professional (CCHP) status with NCCHC.
Patient autonomy may not be synonymous with jail in your mind. After all, incarceration limits freedom by design. But when it comes to healthcare, patient autonomy in jail is a legal and ethical requirement. Patient autonomy means a person has the right to make informed… Read More »Patient Autonomy in Jail: What It Means and Why It Matters
It takes a special type of person to be a nurse. Caring for other people with varying personalities and determining how best to meet their individual needs can be challenging work. Correctional nursing requires a delicate balance between providing compassionate care and maintaining safety and… Read More »Using Therapeutic Communication in Corrections Nursing
Vaccines are an important part of preventive healthcare. They help protect people from serious illness and reduce the spread of infectious diseases. Illnesses can spread quickly without preventative measures in place because jails are high-movement environments where people live in close contact. Getting vaccines in… Read More »Why Vaccines in Jail Matter
A person’s healthcare needs don’t end when they go to jail. And with an estimated nearly 70% of the population on some type of medication to manage a healthcare need, it’s clear to see why access to medication can be a safety issue for people… Read More »Understanding Jail Medication Policy
You know that nursing is rewarding, and you want to help people. But dang, it feels stressful some days! Emotional strain and constant demands can quickly take a toll and create compounding daily stressors for nurses. The good news is that you can manage nurse… Read More »Nurse Stress: How To Handle It
Thousands of people are booked into jails every day. Of them, more than 60% meet the criteria for substance use disorder. That means a significant number of people arrive at the jail in the early stages of withdrawal and with serious medical needs. Without prompt… Read More »Treating Withdrawal in Jail
Healthcare in jails depends on strong clinical teams, thoughtful coordination, and a shared commitment to each patient’s well-being. Providers regularly deliver care through in-person services. Increasingly, telehealth is expanding access to care by adding another way for patients to connect with providers. Through secure, remote… Read More »How Telehealth in Jails Is Expanding Access to Care
Traumatic brain injuries affect many jailed people, with studies estimating that 87% of jailed people have experienced a TBI at some point in their lives. Some arrive with a prior injury that shapes how they think, feel, and respond to stress. Others experience a traumatic… Read More »Caring for People With Traumatic Brain Injuries in Jail
Living with a chronic disease is challenging in any setting. Those challenges can feel even more overwhelming when someone with a chronic illness is in jail. Patients may worry about missed medications, unmanaged symptoms, or whether their health needs will be understood and met. Loved… Read More »Dealing with Chronic Disease in Jail
Less than 10% of jail populations are women, but the number of incarcerated women is growing more rapidly than that of men. Many people arrive in jail with complex health needs that have gone unmet for years. They’ve often experienced gaps in care, chronic illness,… Read More »Treating Women’s Health in Jails