Evenson, robotics coordinator and surgical clinical supervisor, honored
SOMERS POINT – For Jacqueline Evenson, surgical clinical supervisor and robotics coordinator, Shore Medical Center isn’t just a workplace; it’s been a central part of her life story.
Now a resident of Egg Harbor Township, Evenson, BSN, CNOR, RNFA, is proud of Shore Medical Center and the surgical program she has helped build over the past 24 years, and she is honored to be the 2024 recipient of the Surgical Chairman’s Award.
“The Surgical Chairman’s Award is always presented to someone who has made significant contributions to advancing surgical care,” said Dr. John Millili, Surgical Department chairman, at the Jan. 16 presentation. “This year, the most transformative achievement by far has been the creation of our robotic surgery program. In a little over two years, we went from an idea to a fully functioning, high-level robotics program with eight surgeons across multiple specialties.”
“While the surgeon’s role is vital, none of this would be possible without the structure and coordination behind the scenes,” Millili said. “Jackie Evenson has been instrumental in building this program from the ground up — coordinating surgeon training, managing equipment, and overseeing the countless logistics involved in building and running a robotic surgery program. Without her very hard work and tireless input, we wouldn’t be anywhere near where we are today, with an excellent and very busy program.”
Robotic surgery launched at Shore Medical Center in October 2023 with the addition of the Da Vinci Xi surgical robot, and since then, surgeons have used it to perform more than 1,000 robotic surgeries. Robotic surgery provides patients with a number of benefits including faster recovery, less pain, reduced narcotic use, and lower risks of trauma and infection, even in complex areas like the lower abdomen.
Lifelong love of medicine
Born at Shore and raised in Ocean City, Evenson’s love for medicine took off in middle school, when she remembers poring through anatomy books in the school library, already knowing she wanted to be a nurse someday. She took babysitting classes at Shore and then in eighth grade, she volunteered as a candy striper on nursing units, delivering water to patients.
“I loved being in the hospital and watching the nurses work,” Evenson recalled. “My young, inquisitive mind was fascinated by nursing, and those experiences at Shore solidified that this was what I wanted to do.”
After graduating high school in 1989, Evenson began working at Shore as a nurse aide on 4 Hayes. Life took her away for a time as she traveled with her active-duty military husband and earned her nursing degree. When the time came to return to the area and find a nursing job after passing her boards, she reached out to Shore’s HR department.
“I realized the same woman who hired me as a nurse aide all those years ago was the same person who answered the phone. I told her who I was, and she said, ‘I know who you are, Jackie.’ She actually remembered me! That moment made me feel like family — and that’s what Shore feels like—a family community.”
Evenson was hired as a nurse on 4 Hayes and worked as a unit nurse for nearly two years. When Shore launched a new OR nurse training program, made possible through donor support, her manager recommended she enroll.
“I was one of only four nurses chosen. OR nursing is a highly specialized field, and it takes a full year to train an OR nurse. Having this program available was invaluable to me,” she said.
Innovation for the Betterment of Patient Care
Evenson said the OR is unique in that it’s like its own little business.
“We’re constantly assessing new surgical equipment and technology on the market to determine what will improve patient outcomes. With robotic surgery, which we introduced in 2023, we knew it was a significant investment, but it was necessary to provide better care for our community.”
Robotic surgery has since become a cornerstone of Shore’s general surgery program, and most recently has expanded to include urologic surgery procedures including robotic prostatectomies for cancer patients, and robotic gynecological procedures such as hysterectomies, ensuring patients can stay local for care.
“It’s all about looking at what’s best for our community,” she said.
Evenson continues to play a major role in incorporating other cutting-edge technologies into the OR workflow, including the Brainlab spinal navigation system for precision in complex surgeries, the Lumenis Pulse™ 120H with MOSES™ 2.0 for advanced kidney stone and BPH treatment, and Transcarotid Artery Revascularization (TCAR) for safer, minimally invasive carotid artery disease care. All of these advancements were added this past year.
A Sense of Pride
Over the years, Evenson has been in awe of the hospital’s growth and transformation, from the construction of the Hayes Tower to the state-of-the-art Surgical Tower.
“I still remember how I felt seeing the Surgical Tower for the first time. The transformation from our old OR to this state-of-the-art facility is extraordinary — it’s futuristic, clean, and incredibly well-organized. Walking through the art gallery hallway and seeing the high-quality resources we have gives me such a good feeling coming into work. It makes me truly appreciate how far we’ve come and what we have here.”
As a long-time local whose own family has needed care at Shore, Evenson’s personal experiences underscore the importance of Shore’s mission. She remembers how taxing it was when a close family member initially sought care for a serious medical condition in Philadelphia, but found it increasingly difficult to manage the travel. Shore Medical Center’s investment in specialized programs and services makes it possible for patients to receive high-quality, local care.
“That’s what makes this hospital so special,” Evenson explained. “Our focus is always on serving our community and making health care accessible.”
A Collective Effort
As the recipient of the Surgical Chairman’s Award, Evenson is celebrated not only for her clinical expertise but also for her leadership and vision. Her contributions, particularly the development of the robotic surgery program, have enhanced the hospital’s ability to deliver cutting-edge care. Yet, Evenson remains deeply humble, emphasizing the collective effort of Shore’s staff and the community’s support.
“The growth and success of this hospital wouldn’t be possible without the generosity of our donors and the commitment of our community,” she said. “When people invest in Shore, they’re investing in their own health care and their neighbors’ as well. It’s a partnership, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”
Looking back on her journey, Evenson reflects on the hospital’s role as a landmark and a cornerstone of the community.
“Growing up, the hospital was always prominent. Today, we have a strong reputation for the care we deliver. I’m proud every day to walk into this hospital and know I’m part of its growth. This is home, and I can’t imagine working anywhere else.”
About Shore Medical
Shore Medical Center is an independent, 501(c)(3) non-profit community hospital located in Somers Point, New Jersey. For more than 80 years, Shore has been a trusted provider of high-quality healthcare for generations of families, friends, neighbors and visitors. Shore Medical Center attracts the area’s best physicians, nurses, and clinicians, and is home to six Centers of Excellence for Cancer, Cardiovascular, Neurosciences, Spine and Orthopedic, Emergency and Maternity and Pediatric care. Shore is a member of the Penn Cancer Network and has affiliations with Penn Medicine in cardiology, maternal-fetal medicine, neuroscience, and pulmonology. Shore also has partnerships with Onsite Neonatal Partners, Mayo Medical Laboratories, and Advanced Radiology Solutions. For more information, visit www.ShoreMedicalCenter.org.