Jessica Lacey, RN
Jessica Lacey is a dedicated Registered Nurse and Director of Nursing at Bryan Manor in Centralia, Illinois, where she has devoted more than 26 years of service to adults with developmental disabilities. She began her nursing career in August 2000 as a Licensed Practical Nurse and advanced to Registered Nurse in 2010 through Frontier Community College. Over the course of her career, she has built extensive expertise in caring for medically complex individuals within a 100-bed intermediate care facility setting, where many residents require total care and specialized medical support.
In her leadership role, Jessica oversees comprehensive nursing operations for residents with significant medical needs, including those requiring G-tube nutrition and medication administration, as well as respiratory support such as CPAP, BiPAP, and breathing treatments. Throughout her tenure at Bryan Manor, she has served in a wide range of clinical and administrative roles, including floor nursing, care plan coordination, infection control, and wound care. Her broad clinical background has strengthened her ability to lead interdisciplinary teams while ensuring high-quality, consistent, and compassionate care for a vulnerable population.
Jessica is deeply committed to advocacy and relationship-centered care, particularly for residents who are non-verbal and fully dependent on caregivers for daily needs. She has developed long-standing, family-like bonds with the individuals she serves and their families, many of whom she has supported for decades. Her dedication to improving quality of life, ensuring dignity in care, and serving as a strong advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities continues to define her leadership and lifelong commitment to nursing.
• LPN - 2000
• Frontier Community College - R.N., 2010
• LPN
• RN
• 25-Year Service Award from Bryan Manor
• Illinois DD Nursing Association
• Illinois Crisis Prevention Network
• Kaskaskia Workshop, which provides day training services for Bryan Manor, multiple CILAs, ICF/DD 16-bed facilities, Murray Center, and individuals within the community.
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Adults with Developmental Disabilities
- Skilled Nursing
- G-tube Nutrition and Medication
- Respiratory Care (CPAPs
- BiPAPs
- Breathing Treatments)
- IC Treatments
- Wound Care
- Total Care for Non-Verbal Patients
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
What I enjoy most about nursing is the deep, meaningful relationships I've built with the individuals I care for every day. These residents have become like family to me over my 26 years at Bryan Manor. I've literally grown up alongside some of them - one parent even told me after his son passed away, 'You and Paddy, you grew up together,' and that really touched my heart. Even though most of our residents are non-verbal and require total care, getting to know them so well and being there for them throughout their lives is incredibly rewarding. This is their home, and many of them have been here for decades. At the end of the day, even when things are challenging with staffing or other issues, the clients brighten your day, and you just go right back at it. I'm passionate about being a client and parent advocate, and I just want to make sure they have the best life they can have. That's what keeps me going and why I've stayed here for so long.