Today we’d like to introduce you to Jillian Roy.
Jillian, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Well, I always knew I wanted to have a career centered on helping others, so in high school, I began volunteering at Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Over the four years I was there, I learned so much about the different roles of the medical team, but nursing is surely what I wanted to pursue. Nurses were the ones who directly interacted with their patients throughout their stay and who held the power to positively influence the lives of their patients. So, I left sunny California for one of the top nursing programs at the University of Michigan (go Wolverines!). There, I joined Alpha Gamma Delta where I really developed my leadership skills as the Vice President of Finance for the National Panhellenic Conference. I felt greatly prepared for the nursing journey on which I was about to embark.
I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Nursing and moved back to Los Angeles, where I began working as a critical care float nurse at Alhambra Hospital. While the job was challenging and allowed me to grow in my nursing skills, I wanted to further pursue my real passion for skincare. Thankfully, nursing is a profession with endless possibilities! While working full-time at the hospital, I also took on a position full-time at Skin Laundry. Here, I got a taste of the satisfaction of helping others feel their most beautiful selves. However, I wanted to better apply my nursing background and knowledge in my work. Several months later, a position with Moy-Fincher-Chipps Facial Plastics and Dermatology in Beverly Hills opened, but it seemed too good to be true.
As my mom infamously says, “You never know unless you try,” so I applied and became the company’s youngest Director of Nursing. After two years, I was eager to continue growing and learning, so I went back to school and obtained my master’s degree from the University of Southern California. Everyone thought I was crazy for working full-time while attending school full-time, but I was excited to flourish as a nurse in a new role. I’ll be honest, it was one of the toughest things I’ve ever done in my life. I would often cry, wanting to give up every semester, but my family and boyfriend supported me enormously, and because of them, I did it. I am now working as a Nurse Practitioner with the practice that gave me the opportunity to pursue my dreams in dermatology.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
My childhood was definitely a rocky one, but I truly believed it has shaped the person and professional I am today. My father left the country when I was eight years old leaving my mom to raise three kids by herself. She worked tirelessly to support us and somehow still managed to attend every sports game and dance recital. At one point, she was working three jobs because she believed in providing us with the best education and most fulfilling childhood possible. Because of my mom, I received a K-12 private school education while participating in the volleyball and basketball teams and in choir and dance. She worked so hard that she was able to move us out of one of the poorest neighborhoods in LA because she wanted us to have a safe childhood filled with nothing but good and happy memories.
I acknowledged how much she had done for the lives of her children, so I landed my first job as soon as I was legally allowed to work. While many high school students get jobs for extra cash, every one of my paychecks went directly to help support the family. I maintained multiple jobs throughout college to pay for my tuition and housing, and as I mentioned before, I worked and attended graduate school full-time. My mom has tremendously supported me throughout my life and she gave me encouragement and confidence when I needed it the most. I am the person and professional I am today because of the strong work ethic and perseverance that I learned from my mother. I know that I can succeed at anything I pursue the skills she taught me and with my family and boyfriend by my side.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
I work with Moy-Fincher-Chipps Facial Plastics and Dermatology, a world-renowned practice that was established over 30 years ago. Their main location is on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills with additional satellite offices based in Torrance and Encino.
Our four physicians not only specialize in MOHs surgery, a specific technique for skin cancer, but we also practice general and cosmetic dermatology, facial plastic surgery, and cosmetic surgery. I am truly fortunate to be working with the best dermatologists and facial plastic surgeons in the field.
Currently, I am the Director of Nursing. I help supervise, train, and educate the staff. I oversee three accredited surgery centers, assist MDs with medical, cosmetic and surgical procedures, see my own general and cosmetic dermatology patients and perform minor surgeries.
We have over 30 lasers and devices in our office that are able to individualize each patient’s treatment to their specific needs. We offer a wide array of services unlike most dermatology offices in the area. Our providers are honest and would rather educate patients on how to look and feel their best versus “selling” them on something they don’t need. At my office, we truly care for each individual patient and we help each other succeed. I am thankful Moy-Fincher-Chipps support me in every way, and I’m proud to support their practice each and every day.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I am excited to continue learning by expanding my knowledge and skill set as a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner. I would love to give back to my local communities as they have made my dreams and aspirations possible. My ultimate goal would be to provide greater access to healthcare in countries in need of medical attention with a dream of mine to create a clinic in the Philippines, my native country.
Contact Info:
- Address: 421 N. Rodeo Drive Suite T-7
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 - Website: www.rodeoderm.com
- Phone: 310-274-5372
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillian_rodeoderm/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jillianrodeoderm/
Image Credit:
Photos by Jonathan Roy
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