The COPE Program

of University Studies from Oklahoma State University with concentrations in Architecture, Leisure Service Management, and Marketing. She then earned an associate degree in Nursing from Central Texas College, a Master’s in Nursing Education from Grand Canyon University, a Doctorate of Nursing Practice from Grand Canyon University, and a Post Master’s Certificate Family Nurse Practitioner from Grand Canyon University.

Dr. Jones’ (DNP) clinical experience includes service in the Veteran’s Healthcare Administration hospital system, Buffalo NY Children’s Hospital Neonatal ICU, Various settings of Adult Intensive Care, Medical Surgical Nursing, Emergency Department, Women’s Health Nursing, and hospital leadership. As a former Chief Nursing Officer in the Dallas, Fort Worth area, Amanda served three hospitals, overseeing operations for all departments, including imaging, physical and occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, building grounds, and direct nursing supervision. Dr. Jones (DNP) then accepted a role at Grand Canyon University as a full-time faculty and eventually led the Doctor of Nursing Practice program. Currently, she owns a private concierge medicine practice specializing in care across the lifespan and serves as the Assistant Dean at a university out of California, where she oversees operations in all Nursing Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctoral programs. She remains an adjunct faculty at Grand Canyon University.

Clinically, Dr. Jones (DNP) focuses on quality of life and health optimization in her patient population, and her practice specializes in non-judgmental, patient-centered concierge care. In the past, she presented at the University of Wisconsin-Madison on the topic of serving Veterans in the online platform and was also published as one of the chapter authors in a Handbook of Research on Creating Meaningful Experiences in Online Courses. Recently, she was a featured speaker at United States University’s Biannual Research Colloquium presenting on the topic: Leveraging Communication and Policy Adherence for Professionals and Organizations. Her scholarly work has a common focus on the integration of care and compassion in patient relationships regardless of the role or vantage point. This was inspired by her work with various populations and her original Doctoral Project: The role of relationships as perceived by the nurse in critical care and non-critical care environments.

Amanda resides in Mesa, AZ, with her family, including daughter Leah and son Asher. She enjoys travel, reading, and all things sports, especially GCU basketball. She has a great love for Oakwood’s mission and has enjoyed her service on the board of directors.

Collaborative’s Dementia Squad. She began her career in occupational therapy with an emphasis on brain and spine injuries and, through her years of schooling and student experiences, she found a true passion for neurological diseases and disorders in the adult population.

Megan spent her capstone research months developing a Parkinson’s disease support group and resource guide where she also enjoyed working with clients with dementia. Megan is certified in the C.O.P.E Program, developed by Dr. Laura Gitlin and Cathy Piersol, and the Skills2Care program. She aims to deliver trail-blazing, evidence-based, progressive occupational therapy services, addressing dementia in the home and caregiver support. Megan’s goal is to ensure that families dealing with dementia feel supported and understood and to offer them the tools and strategies they need to improve and maintain a good quality of life.

Her hobbies include gardening, being outdoors, listening to music and podcasts, and being with family. Something profound that she has learned while working in dementia care is that as humans, we are all just looking to connect with someone. At the heart of the work that we do is a feeling of connectedness and support.