Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Nelson.
Jessica, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was eight years old, my life changed. My mom essentially lost it all; her job, her car, her perfect bill of health, and our house, lost in what seemed to be a blink of an eye. My mother was diagnosed with sarcoidosis and life as she knew it would never be the same. We lived with friends, family, in low-income housing, and trailer homes throughout the remainder of my childhood and teenage years. While most kids and teenagers were concerned about presents, clothes, and material things, I hoped that my mom would be able to keep our lights on, heat/AC running, reliable transportation and food on the table. So when it was time for me to graduate high school and transition to college my mom told me, “You have ONE shot at this.” I knew exactly what she meant. We did not have enough money for a trial and error college phase. If I didn’t succeed, I would have to abandon the hopes of getting a degree and return home to work.
Going into college with an “all or nothing mentality” lead to me to not only complete my mission of obtaining a college degree, but graduate magna cum laude in the top 2% of my class. Throughout high school, I always had a love for Biology, a passion for people, and a desire for human connection. It was in college when I identified that I could marry my passion for people with my love for biology through the practice of medicine.
I entered medical school with a passion to help heal through the practice of medicine. However, it was in medical school that I identified helping to treat patients illnesses required more than prescribing medications and stitching up wounds, it required patient education and clear communication. Communication barriers often go undetected in health care settings and can have serious effects on the health and safety of patients. The entire health care system relies on the assumption that patients can understand complex written and spoken information. Unfortunately, however, that is not the case. My goal from that point forward was to become an advocate for patients and help educate the masses using social media and community outreach programs within the Houston area. Patient’s inability to understand their diagnosis, medications and the importance of screening exams poses a risk to patient safety. My goal is to help establish awareness of medical problems, health topics, medications and screening to ensure that patients understand health issues and are competent in managing their care.
We’d love to hear more about your practice.
I currently practice Emergency Medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. In addition, I use social media, radio and community health fairs to reach out and educate the city of Houston as it relates to health screenings, medication usage, diagnosis and beyond. In addition, I try to encourage patients by sharing my personal struggles with health, weight loss, and healthy eating.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
In health care, we are graded by our patient’s experience. Every month, the results (or grades) from our patients are shared with us electronically. Nothing makes me more proud than to see the results of my patient’s experience with my care and the happiness and joy I am able to share every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.erdrjess.com
- Email: askdoctorjess@gmail.com
- Instagram: ERdrJess
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ERdrJess
Image Credit:
Moni Pradier (instagram @MoniP10)
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