Scholarship Honor Spotlight: James Jackson, MPH

James Jackson has been a longtime champion and steward of the FACES program, dating back to our origins at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA. As one of our original supporters, James helped to establish the foundation of the program, providing both a home for the program at the hospital and opportunities for work-based learning for FACES Scholars in the Administration Department. Over the years, James has continued to support FACES in his various leadership roles, most recently by helping again to establish the foundation of our new FACES programs at Alameda and San Leandro Hospitals in South Alameda County. His stewardship and support have helped to create hundreds of work-based learning opportunities for FACES youth over the past 18 years. He has been a valued and deeply respected ally in our efforts to build opportunities for young people. There are insufficient words to express our gratitude to James for his contributions. FACES for the Future is pleased to announce the James Jackson Scholarship in honor and recognition of his years of service to FACES Scholars.
- Tomás A. Magaña, MD, MA, FAAP, Founding Director – FACES for the Future Coalition

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James Jackson is a senior healthcare administrator with over 25 years of experience in the field. A Bay Area native, James holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from the University of California in Berkeley and a Bachelors Degree in Economics from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.

James is the Chief Administrative Officer of San Leandro and Alameda Hospitals, part of the Alameda Health System. Prior to this role, James was a Support Services Assistant Administrator with Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, the Chief Operating Officer of Saint Francis Memorial Hospital in San Francisco and held several positions at Children’s Hospital and Research Center in Oakland, where he ultimately served as the Vice President of Ancillary and Support Services. He also served in the United States Navy at the Naval Hospital in Oakland.

James Jackson at Black College Expo 2016

James’s career in the medical field began at Naval Hospital Oakland, where James served in a number of capacities. As the Equipment Management Officer he was responsible for the maintenance and repair of all biomedical equipment in the Pacific Northwest region. During the first Gulf War, James was assigned to lead the Mobile Medical Assessment Readiness Team (M.M.A.R.T.), with the responsibility for deployment of his team on 24 hours notice anywhere in the Pacific Region.

Having been promoted early to the rank of Lieutenant, James was subsequently selected for the role of Flag Aide, supporting the Admiral for the region. This was a role assigned to the highest-ranking junior officer at the command. James resigned his commission after attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

James Jackson at a FACES South Alameda County program graduation.

James has a strong belief in volunteering. He has served as a Big Brother, and was the Chair of the African American Outreach program for the local American Diabetes Association chapter, and was named Volunteer of the Year. He served as the Chair of the Blind Babies Foundation, and is a director with the San Leandro Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Alameda Chamber of Commerce. James also serves as a Commissioner on the Public Ethics Commission of the City of Oakland.