Director: Carolyn Jones

Producer: Lisa C. Frank

Description:

The film explores the human realities of immigration through the intertwined journeys of three women–nurses who leave their home countries, the Philippines, Ghana and India to join the healthcare workforce in the US. Their stories illuminate the emotional, economic and cultural complexities of migration, revealing what it means to live between worlds while sustaining deep ties to families and communities across continents. As these women navigate unfamiliar systems and shifting identities, the film situates their experiences within the broader dynamics of a global healthcare system shaped by imbalance and interdependence. In some countries, more healthcare workers are trained than local systems can absorb, while others–like the US–rely heavily on internationally educated professionals to address critical shortages. 

Biography:

Carolyn Jones is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who has devoted her career to celebrating invisible populations and breaking down barriers. She has published multiple books including Living Proof: Courage in the Face of AIDS and The American Nurse, and directed five feature documentaries focused on healthcare: The American Nurse, Defining Hope, In Case of Emergency, American Delivery, and most recently, A Long Way to Go, which centers on migration and the global nursing workforce. Carolyn's films have been broadcast and distributed worldwide, including on PBS and Discovery. She is a Cultural Ambassador with the U.S. Department of State as part of the American Film Showcase program, and she firmly believes that authentic storytelling can change hearts and minds.

Lisa Frank is a documentary producer and nonprofit director who guides multimedia projects from inception through distribution, outreach, and audience engagement. For nearly two decades, she has collaborated with filmmaker Carolyn Jones on films exploring healthcare, nursing, and the systems that shape care in America and around the world. Their work includes American Delivery, a PBS documentary examining the maternal health crisis through the experiences of families and healthcare providers, and A Long Way to Go, which explores the global migration of nurses and its impact on healthcare systems worldwide. Together, they have created award-winning documentaries and engagement campaigns that have reached millions of viewers through PBS, the Discovery Network, and community-based initiatives.

Contact Information:

e: lisa@carolynjones.com 
w: www.alongwaytogo.film