Motivated to do more for pediatric patients

Drawing from a deep well of motherly instinct, Lashee Jones made a life-changing decision in 2022. 

She gave up her job as a building attendant cleaning pediatric inpatient rooms to become a patient care technician, someone specially trained to perform direct patient care and assist nurses with bathing, feeding and treating young cancer patients.

Embracing her motherly instincts

“Even when I was in housekeeping, I wanted to help the children because I am a mom myself,” Jones says. “My mom intuition kicked in. I wanted to make sure they were happy.” 

As a building attendant, that meant maintaining a meticulously clean physical environment for recovery and providing special touches like arranging each child’s pillows and teddy bears just as they like them. 

Becoming a patient care technician strengthened that instinct, she says.

“You just can't come in and speak to the parents. You have to communicate with the children so they know they can trust you,” Jones explains. She recalls two separate patients – a young boy and a young girl – who warmed up to her positive daily interactions. “They got used to my face and gave me their arm or finger for vital signs testing. You always have a smile on your face.” 

Leading with heart

Jones’ caring nature earned her a Heart of MD Anderson employee award in 2024, a recognition of her deep commitment to MD Anderson’s mission and core values. Katelyn De Leon, a clinical nurse on the Pediatric inpatient unit, says no one has a way with young patients and their families like Jones does. Jones attributes her nurturing skills to her own mother, who also was a patient care technician, and to raising two nephews and four children of her own.

“I let my heart lead the way,” she says. “I take care of every patient like they are my family.”

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