“You rock!” That’s what one of Dr. Katrina Davis’ patients told her recently after a successful operation. “She was so happy that she loaded a film of her surgery on YouTube to, hopefully, help others who are suffering,” said Davis. “That made my day.”
While it may not sound like the type of thing that would make just anyone’s day, for Davis, an OB/GYN at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, this was the ultimate compliment.
A native of Jackson, Miss., Davis was just 5 when she proudly announced to her pediatrician that she wanted to be a doctor. At 16, she had narrowed her focus to OB/GYN, and her intent appeared in an article about her debutante ball that ran in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger.
Davis was so eager to get started in the medical profession that she skipped her last year of high school. “Jackson State University had an early admission program, as long as certain academic requirements were met. So, after the 11th grade, I went straight to college,” she said. “My younger sister, who is now an engineer, did the same thing. My family used to joke that we were high school drop-outs.”
Davis obtained her undergraduate degree from Jackson State University and her medical degree from the University of Tennessee in Memphis. She came to UAMS for her residency in 1994 and then moved to Hot Springs in ’98 to work in private practice with Physicians for Women. Four years later, in 2002, Davis was recruited to join the UAMS faculty, where she remains an associate professor of OB/GYN specializing in female urinary incontinence and pelvic floor reconstruction.
“I love teaching, and I love to operate,” said Davis. “I get plenty of that at UAMS.” She said she chose OB/GYN because it was a good fit for her personality. “I like to fix things, and I like to solve problems. Most problems in OB/GYN have a cure, whether it’s surgical or medical.”
Her desire to help others and solve problems goes beyond the operating room. She’s an active member of the Arkansas Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical Association (AMDPA), an organization of medical professionals that pre-dates the formation of the American Medical Association. Organized in 1893, one of its goals is to generate scholarship funds for financially challenged students who might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in the medical, dental or pharmaceutical professions.
Davis and her husband, Dennis — a fitness and diversity consultant — are co-chairing this year’s AMDPA scholarship fundraising event, “Blues in the Rock.” “Imagine entering a room with lights dimmed. Blues music plays in the background,” said Davis. “Tables are covered with red-and-white-checkered cloths. Candles are on the tables. There is a jukebox in the corner. The songstress croons at the mic. On the stage, a dancer moves soulfully to ‘Down Home Blues.’”
Since becoming an AMDPA member in 2002, Davis has observed the organization’s impact on medical, dental and pharmaceutical students. “I’ve watched them receive their financial scholarships and witnessed relief on their faces that at least some portion of their financial burden would be eased,” she said. “Throughout my life, countless people have helped me. Teachers, relatives and just good Samaritans helped me with financial and moral support. It’s my turn now.”
Blues Clues
Soirée: Are you involved with other organizations?
Davis: I am a member of the Baha’í Community of Little Rock. Through my faith, I tutor children on a weekly basis and conduct classes on moral responsibility for children and junior youth. I am also the Cluster Institute Coordinator for our community.
This means that I am responsible for assisting in the coordination of children’s classes, junior youth groups and study circles for our cluster, which includes Little Rock, North Little Rock and Conway. My husband serves on the local spiritual assembly, which is responsible for handling general operations and concerns of the Little Rock Bahá’í Community.
Down time?
Zumba, hip-hop aerobics, weightlifting, dancing, singing and reading. My favorite place to be on the planet is the beach. One of my favorite guilty pleasures is sharing a pedicure with my daughters.
Last book you read?
I am an avid reader. I think that years of purposeful reading throughout college, medical school and residency have ruined non-fiction for me. I read to relax and forget. The more outlandish, the better. My favorite series involve werewolves and vampires, believe it or not. The last book I read was “River Marked” by Patricia Briggs.
Blues In The Rock
6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24
Clear Channel Metroplex
Tickets: $100 per person, $1,000 per table of 10; corporate sponsorships are also available.
For more information, call 686-7299 or go to AMDPA.org