Coming home: SA native, breast oncologist Jessica Treviño Jones, MD, returns home to fight cancer through education

Jessica Treviño Jones, MD, has a passion for medicine that began at an early age. 

“I grew up on the South Side of San Antonio and attended elementary school in the Harlandale Independent School District. It was there when I first told my 2nd-grade teacher, ‘I am going to be a doctor, lawyer or news anchor!’” she said.

Despite the challenges of growing up in an underserved community with a high poverty rate, Jones found encouragement and support from her teachers.

“My teacher, Miss Sutherland, was a catalyst for my future when she told me, ‘Yes, you will. Let’s get you there,’” Jones said.

This early support was instrumental in shaping her path.

Determined to succeed, Jones was the first in her family to attend college, earning a scholarship to Texas A&M University. During her time at Texas A&M, she rekindled her dream of becoming a doctor after earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry.

“After I achieved the first goal of getting into medical school, I let myself dream about being a doctor again,” she said.

To prepare for the rigor of medical school, she volunteered at hospitals, nursing homes and clinics. Those experiences and her determination to succeed helped Jones earn her medical degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2013. She continued her training with an internal medicine residency followed by a hematology-oncology fellowship, where she focused on breast cancer.

Her health care career began at UTHealth Houston, where she launched the McGovern Medical School’s Breast Cancer Prevention Program, a pioneering initiative that underscored the importance of proactive healthcare strategies.

Jones’scommitment to education and patient care earned her numerous accolades, including the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Presidential Scholar award during medical school and the Dean’s Special Recognition for Teaching Excellence at the medical school.

As a leader in her field, Jones serves as a breast medical oncologist at Mays Cancer Center, home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson Cancer Center. An associate professor in the Division of Hematology and Oncology, Jones is also the founder and director of Mays Cancer Center’s Cancer Risk Reduction and Education (CaRE) Clinic and has committed her career to advancing cancer care and prevention.

Through her work within the CaRE clinic, she collaborates with research clinicians across Texas to improve the quality of life for patients, particularly those in high-risk, underserved communities. Her holistic approach to care focuses on treating cancer, reducing risk factors, and providing comprehensive support for patients and their families.

“No one deserves cancer, and it is never anyone’s fault, she said. “Through preventative measures, we can work to prevent cancer before it starts."

Her personal experiences have also shaped her approach to patient care.

“My father-in-law was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a rare brain tumor when my husband and I were in college,” she said.. “Through his cancer journey, I learned cancer is a diagnosis that impacts the whole family.”

This experience drives her to provide care that is not only medically excellent but also compassionate and supportive of the entire family.

Jones’ dedication to her patients extends beyond the clinic. As an expert advisor, Jones often lends her expertise to local and national news outlets, ensuring that accurate and up-to-date information about cancer prevention and treatment reaches a broad audience.

“I am passionate about cancer care and prevention,” said Jones. “But I am equally passionate about increasing education opportunities for our student doctors.”

She works to equalize the playing field for future generations of doctors and is actively building curriculums to empower future physicians to provide the highest level of cancer prevention care.

Despite her demanding career, Jones knows the importance of balance. She recharges by spending quality time with her husband and three sons, exploring new restaurants and indulging in desserts. She also enjoys losing herself in a good book or show.

Jones’ journey from a young girl with a dream to a leading cancer specialist is a testament to her determination and resilience. Her passion for her work, patients and community is evident in everything she does.  

Jones said it’s essential for patients to be empowered to advocate for themselves and push researchers and their physicians to continue to fight to eradicate the disease. Like her patients, she said, she will never give up the fight.

“I have prepared for this my entire life by working hard and striving to break glass ceilings,” she said. “Cancer patients need dedicated physicians to change cancer care and to keep going until we find a cure.”

Through her work, Jones is not just treating cancer — she is making lives better, one patient at a time.