10 Questions with Jackie Snow, NP
While working on Mugar 5 at Cape Cod Hospital, the lifelong Cape Codder discovered her passion for gastrointestinal care, returned to school to earn her nurse practitioner degree and now provides specialized care to the community she calls home.
For Jackie Snow, NP, a career in healthcare started early in life.
A lifelong Cape Codder, Jackie grew up in Barnstable and was first introduced to patient care through volunteer work alongside her twin sister, Jessie. As high school students, the pair spent time at Boston Children’s Hospital supporting young patients and later volunteered in the emergency department at Falmouth Hospital, assisting with patient check-in. Those early experiences sparked a lasting interest in healthcare and helping others.
After earning her nursing degree from UMass Amherst, Jackie returned to the Cape with a clear goal: to work at Cape Cod Hospital. “I’m very much a homebody,” said Jackie. She joined the team as a nurse on Mugar 5, where she spent five years caring for post-surgical patients. It was there that she developed a strong interest in gastrointestinal care, working closely with patients recovering from GI-related conditions and procedures. “This definitely hits close to home, with personal as well as family digestive health issues,” she said. “That was motivating and led me to want to learn more.”
While working at CCH, Jackie pursued her nurse practitioner degree at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, balancing online coursework with clinical rotations off Cape. “The two-year-program was pretty intense and was definitely difficult juggling the clinical portion,” says Jackie, “but it was all worth it.”
Today, she brings dedication and experience to her role as a gastroenterology nurse practitioner in Cape Cod Healthcare Gastroenterology in Hyannis, where she has been for more than two years.
In her current role, Jackie cares for patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, from acid reflux and liver disease to Crohn’s disease and colitis. She also provides inpatient consults at the hospital, helping to ensure continuity of care.
“What I enjoy most is seeing patients get their lives back,” says Jackie. “Many come in with symptoms that really impact their day-to-day life—they may not be able to leave the house or go to work. Being able to help them feel better and return to normal activities is incredibly rewarding.”
In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Jackie also emphasizes the importance of routine screenings, noting that colonoscopies can detect and remove precancerous polyps early—often before symptoms begin.
We recently caught up with Jackie at her office on Attucks Lane in Hyannis, where she shared how people sometimes joke about her married name (any relation to Jon Snow of “Game of Thrones?”), along with something people might be surprised to learn about her, the best advice she’s received and her favorite way to unwind after a long day.
1. What was your first-ever job?
I was an ice cream scooper at Katie’s Ice Cream on Main Street in Hyannis—definitely fast-paced, especially in the summer. It taught me how to think quickly and connect with people.
2. What’s your go-to comfort food?
Ice cream—my nightly sweet treat. Right now, I’m loving cookie dough, especially from Ben & Jerry’s. Those pint-size containers are dangerous!
3. Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
If you listen to your patients carefully, they will often tell you everything you need to know.
4. If you weren’t working in healthcare, what would you be doing?
Probably veterinary medicine. I’ve always loved animals, but then I think through volunteering at hospitals in Boston and Falmouth, I realized I was more of a people person.
5. Is there something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a twin! My sister, Jessie, and I are best friends—we still talk every day. She’s currently in an MD-PhD program in Colorado.
6. Do you have any pets?
Yes—a Bernese Mountain dog named Zoe and a gray-and-white cat named Louis.
7. What’s your favorite way to unwind after a long day?
Spending time with my son, Jameson, who’s about to turn one, and taking my dog for a walk.
8. Morning person or night owl?
Definitely a morning person. I love starting the day with coffee and a big breakfast.
9. What’s one thing you’re always putting off?
Laundry—it never ends!
10. Your idea of a perfect day off?
Breakfast at a local spot like the Celtic Kitchen or The Daily Paper, then heading to Sandy Neck Beach to relax and enjoy the sunset.
