Jason McDonald’s professional path, along with the rest of his world, was shaped early on by experiences on the receiving side of patient care. His father’s battle with cancer and death when McDonald was just 12 years old gave McDonald a perspective he carries with him today. “That is exactly why I became a healthcare professional — to care for patients like him and support families like mine,” he said. McDonald’s work in anesthesia taught him to stay calm under pressure, a skill that serves him now as senior vice president of staffing and operations for CRNA Locum Jobs. In addition to his wife and children, McDonald said his proudest accomplishment is “building a career that’s allowed me to make a difference in people’s lives both clinically and professionally.”
Hometown Greenwood; moved to Little Rock in 2013
Occupation Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist; Senior Vice President, Staffing and Operations, CRNA Locum Jobs
FAVORITES
Beverage
Diet Coke
Restaurant
Heights Taco & Tamale Co.
Food
Anything grilled
PLACE IN ARKANSAS
Lake Ouachita
SONG
“What You See Is What You Get” by Luke Combs
How did you get to where you are now?
Relationships combined with a lot of long days, good mentors and being willing to bet on myself a few times when it would’ve been easier not to.
What is your favorite thing about Arkansas?
Arkansas still feels grounded to me. People care more about who you are than what you drive, and I’ve always appreciated that.
How did you pick up your favorite hobby?
I got into golf because I wanted something competitive outside of work. I enjoy the grind and constant work in progress.
What trait do you admire in others but do not possess yourself?
The ability to completely unplug. My brain tends to stay in motion.
What always makes you nostalgic?
I get nostalgic when I reflect on the personal and professional turning points in my life so far — the moment right before taking the uncertain leap.
What makes a good man, in your opinion?
Someone people can count on not just when things are easy but especially when they’re not.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to enter your industry?
Your reputation matters more than people realize, and opportunities tend to follow people who are dependable and consistent.
How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who made things a little bit brighter because I was a part of it, someone who fiercely loved his family and treated people well.
What is the most underrated “secret ingredient” to success?
Consistency. Most people underestimate what happens when you keep showing up over a long period of time.
SEE THE FEATURE BELOW AND IN OUR JULY 2026 ISSUE OF AY MAGAZINE
