Former Miss America Jackie Mayer visited Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) to inspire and encourage students by sharing her journey from pageant winner to stroke survivor, and finally a patient advocate. The seminar, held on Thursday, September 10, 2026 in the Titus Lecture Hall, was presented as a collaboration between PBA Lead and the School of Nursing.
From Shining to Shattered
Mayer was crowned Miss America in 1963. After a short time in acting, she married John Townsend in 1964. After getting married, they moved to Pennsylvania, started a horse farm, and had two children: Billy and Kelly.
In 1970, Mayer’s life took an unexpected turn. She suffered a severe stroke at age 28 that left her unable to move or speak. She was devastated.
“I knew that I had to get better, but I just did not have the motivation to do that,” she recalled.
Turning Broken to Beautiful
A few simple words made Mayer get back up. “Mom, you have a problem … you are just feeling awful sorry for yourself. Why don’t you get off your butt and do something about it!” She recalled that these were the words her son Billy told her.
His words encouraged her to do more and Mayer continued her recovery at Montefiore Hospital in Pittsburgh. During this time in the hospital, is when her minister reminded her that if she believes in God, “all things are possible.” Mayer says that these words became her guiding principle.
After her recovery, Mayer went on to travel the country to encourage and help health care workers, stroke survivors, and their families. She became an ambassador for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association and she did not simply focus on stroke recovery and prevention, but on preserving the dignity of the survivors.
Advising Future Generations
Mayer encouraged future nurses to approach patients with patience, kindness, and empathy. She implored them to empathize and consider what it feels like to depend on another person for basic needs.
Throughout the presentation, Mayer repeatedly circled back to the themes of hope, service, and perseverance. She encouraged students entering health care to remember that patients and their families are likely filled with fear, frustration, and uncertainty and that it is their responsibility to show them empathy and grace.
“When you are a doctor, or a nurse, or an aide, or anyone connected to the hospital,” she said, “be gentle, love one another, believe in God … because all things are possible.”
