WOMEN TO WATCH
2016

JESSICA MCELREATH

RADIOLOGIST
CENTRAL ARKANSAS VETERANS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

I have been a radiologist at the VA Hospital for almost six years. I predominantly work in The Mammography Department interpreting mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast MRI, and performing breast biopsies. My goal is to detect breast cancer early, giving patients the best chance of survival with the greatest quality of life. I have the privilege of caring for veterans, and they are the greatest patients! They have made huge sacrifices for our country and its citizens, and it is my honor to provide them with top-notch care and compassion.

PRESSING QUESTIONS

BEST CAREER MOMENT SO FAR:

After 14 years of college, medical school, residency, and fellowship, my greatest moment was starting my first job as a Radiologist in The Breast Center at UAMS. I was so relieved, nervous, and excited to finally fly on my own.

HOW DID YOU KNOW THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?

It was a lightbulb moment toward the end of residency. I realized I felt most fulfilled doing breast imaging and interacting with patients. I was living the KT Tunstall song “Suddenly I see, this is what I wanna be.”

HOW YOU DEFINE SUCCESS:

Happiness, at work and at home. Life is too short to spend it any other way. Best advice you’ve ever received: Most of what you worry about never comes to pass. It is easy to consume yourself with worry about school, work, family, friends, co-workers, health, etc. Live in the moment, and don’t sweat the small stuff!

ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE YOUR 18-YEAR-OLD SELF:

When you go away to college, don’t forget to call your mom and go home to visit some weekends. You won’t miss anything that important while you’re gone.

MOST REWARDING PART OF YOUR JOB:

The relationships I have developed with my mammography technologists and patients. I love it when a patient comes by just to say hello. It lets me know we are doing our job right.

IF YOU COULD LUNCH WITH ANY WOMAN, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHAT WOULD YOU ORDER?

My mom and my girlfriends. We have so little time for ourselves with careers and children. I would eat appetizers, have cocktails, and laugh with the women who have supported me through all the highs and lows in life.

BIGGEST CHALLENGES OR OBSTACLES YOU’VE FACED IN YOUR CAREER:

Learning to trust myself. Reading radiology studies is a judgment call, all day, every day. I’ve had to learn to trust my eyes, trust my knowledge, and trust myself.

WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?

I don’t have one specific role model. She is a conglomerate of the best qualities of the people who have raised me, educated me, and befriended me through the years.

IT'S ALL IN THE DETAILS

NEIGHBORHOOD:

Midtown

HOMETOWN:

Searcy

LAST GOOD READ:

“Summer Rental” by Mary Kay Andrews

FAVORITE FOOD:

Cheeseburger, French fries, and a Coke

FAVORITE LUNCH SPOT:

Any restaurant with my husband. It’s not the place. It’s the company.

FIRST THING YOU DO AT THE OFFICE:

Say hi to my mammography technologists

LATEST SPLURGE:

A painting

THINGS YOU DO OUTSIDE OF WORK:

Exercise and spend time with my family

DREAM VACATION:

Greece, Ireland, Iceland

FAVORITE SONG:

“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor

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