Internal Medicine Chief Resident, 2017-18
I grew up in a very small town in central upstate New York with one stoplight (no, that is not a figure of speech). I attended Colgate University for undergrad, where I played field hockey and majored in molecular biology. Immediately following graduation, I traveled slightly westward for medical school at the University of Rochester.
Coming to UVA for internal medicine residency was my first foray down South, and I’m hooked. After my chief year, I’m planning on a career in academic oncology. I live in town with my fiancé, Connor (a radiology resident here at UVA) and our cats, Mr. Kitty and Xerxes.
Why medicine? Why UVA?
Internal medicine was my first rotation during the third year of medical school, and I loved the complexity of it; and I knew that I wouldn’t be satisfied if I wasn’t taking care of the whole patient in my future career.
Jackie (far right) with close friends and fellow graduates of UVA residency programs (l-r) Stephanie Hodges, Jeanne Lumpkin (both in the Family Medicine residency), and Melissa McShane (Internal Medicine resident, now a Hem-Onc hospitalist).
UVA was my number one choice for residency for its unique mix of excellent clinical training, a research and mentoring curriculum that sets us up for the fellowships we want, and — although I didn’t know this fully at the time — the best collection of residents there is.
Opportunities and challenges in the year ahead as chief resident?
The transition from medical student to resident is both an exciting and terrifying time in the medical education process, and it’s an honor to ease that transition for incoming interns.
Being a chief resident is a completely different job description than anything I’m used to. I’m a doctor; I know how to take care of patients. Managing the schedules, education and development of 90 other doctors is a new one!
Any words of advice for first-year residents?
It’s okay to be scared. When you’re stressed and everything is new, you should fall back on the things that always work and are ever-present: hard work, kindness and the motivation to improve. No matter where you’re starting from, those things will take you far. Have trust in the medical education process – the only difference between you and me is that I started medical school three years before you.
Proudest achievement outside the professional realm?
I ran a marathon during my fourth year of medical school. It wasn’t record-breaking, but I ran the whole time and it was the culmination of many months of hard work. If life slows down a little bit, I’d love to do another one.
What about you would surprise us?
As a kid, I was a big fan of the Pokemon games on my teal Game Boy. We would drive to Florida every other year (22 hours in our Volkswagen Eurovan), and I would hunker down with my Game Boy for the long haul, with all of my accessories (battery powered light, car charger, screen protector) so I could catch ‘em all.
Jackie and fiancé (and UVA Radiology resident) Connor Louden, far left, at Turks and Caicos, “the day after we got engaged.”
Where did you go on your last vacation?
I went to Turks and Caicos last fall with Connor, my fiancé. Since he became my fiancé on the beach in Turks and Caicos, I have very fond memories of the trip!
What are you usually doing in your spare time?
You can usually find me hanging out on the downtown mall with pals, although we mix in a hike or visit to a winery occasionally as well. My fiancé and I adopted two male kittens from the same litter in January 2017, and we have completed the transition to being crazy cat people, so they take up a significant amount of our time at home. After that? I’m generally working out, reading the New York Times, or messing up Pinterest projects.
If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Although not particularly exotic, I just wish I could knit well. I understand the basic mechanics and can make things that are straight (scarves and that cell phone holder I made for my dad when I was 14 that he surely cherishes), but those how-to books make it seem like transitioning from scarves to trendy gloves and baby sweaters is no sweat. I disagree.
What’s one thing you always have in your fridge?
Chobani greek yogurt, in larger quantities than I care to share.
Words to live by?
We have one life to live. Work hard, be kind and figure out why you’re here.
Filed Under: News and Notes