Dr. Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith
TITLE : Radiologist
COMPANY : V.A. Hospital
As a radiologist with a subspecialty in breast imaging, I spend my time reading mammograms, breast ultrasounds and breast MRIs, and performing biopsies. I am privileged and proud to serve our veterans as director of the breast imaging section of the Radiology Department at the Central Arkansas Veterans Hospital. We provide a one-stop breast center with new digital mammography and ultrasound equipment, as well as high-quality MRI with a new 3-D workstation, allowing us to perform biopsies under mammography, ultrasound or MRI guidance.
Why I Love This: I like the attention to detail that breast imaging requires.
Career Goal: To find as many breast cancers as possible when they are still small and curable.
Best business advice you ever received and who gave it: “You have to create your own balance. No one else is going to do it for you.” Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman, a breast surgeon at UAMS, gave me this advice during my first year of practice. Who consistently inspires you? My mother consistently inspires me. She has managed a challenging career, raised two children and is a wonderful grandmother. What business men and women do you admire the most? I admire my husband as a businessman. He has an excellent work ethic and a passion for his field of law.
Favorite Quote: “It is important to know how to paint your own grass green.”
Daily Planner
5:45 a.m. Alarm goes off, my cue that I have 30 more minutes to sleep.
6 a.m. Reassured that I have 15 more minutes to sleep, I hope that my four-month-old son, Andrew, continues to sleep.
6:15 a.m. Get out of bed; get dressed for work.
7:15 a.m. Leave for work.
7:45 a.m. Arrive at work.
8 a.m. Call patients to give results of mammographic procedures and document in the electronic medical record.
8:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Dictate mammograms, breast ultrasounds and breast MRI’s. Perform any necessary biopsies.
5:40 p.m. Drive home.
6:10 p.m. I am greeted at the door by my dog, Miles. Relieve my wonderful nanny and start to take care of my son. Sometimes I cook, sometimes I don’t.
6:10-8 p.m. Spend time with Andrew.
8-10 p.m. Spend time with my husband, Derrick.
10 p.m. Retire to bed.
Favorite Workplace Expression: “Let’s get it done!”
How will you know when you are successful? I feel successful every time I find a small, curable breast cancer by mammography, ultrasound or breast MRI. Making a difference in the lives of my patients is what drives me to go to work each day.