Sandra Cokes Jones, formerly Sandra Lynn Cokes, received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville May 7.

Jones graduated as valedictorian of Suffolk High School Class of 1985. She went on to graduate from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree in 1989, followed by her Master of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Maryland in Baltimore in 1998.

She has worked at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., since 1998 as a pediatric nurse practitioner and is currently clinic manager of the infectious disease clinic.

Her career encompasses pediatric infectious disease, oncology, pediatric and adult HIV research, as well as community education regarding HIV and research. She participates on an international community advisory board funded through the Division of AIDS.

The DNP degree enhances the ability of nurses to translate evidence-based care into practice, to improve systems of care and to measure outcomes of groups of patients and communities.

Jones will continue to practice at St. Jude Children’s Hospital and utilize her DNP degree to explore opportunities to enhance the quality of healthcare through research and education.