Resident spotlight: Dr. Jessica Brumfield

Published 5:53 pm Tuesday, May 22, 2018

Dr. Jessica Brumfield.

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of profiles of the physicians training at the Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program. Similar stories are expected about every other week.

MOULTRIE, Ga. — Dr. Jessica Brumfield was attracted to Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program for many reasons, the approachability and support of faculty, her interest in rural medicine, and because, at heart, she is just a small-town girl.

Brumfield was born and raised in Mount Hermon, Louisiana, a town smaller than Moultrie. She received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana, a Master of Arts Degree in Biological Science from Drexel University, and a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Brumfield became familiar with Moultrie while completing her rotations at Colquitt Regional Medical Center.

“I’ve always liked the small-town feel; it reminds me of home,” she said. “The staff has been amazing, and the community outside of the hospital has been very welcoming,” she continued. “Forming those connections has been great.”

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The location, coupled with the unopposed residency program, was the determining factor for Brumfield when choosing Georgia South.

“I liked the idea of an unopposed program,” she said, “This means that I don’t have to compete with other programs for procedures, patient encounters, and things of that nature.”

Brumfield also enjoys the benefits of an individualized educational experience, with one-on-one attention from each of the doctors.

“The attending physicians have a passion for teaching and they let you do as much as you’re willing.”

One of the paramount reasons Brumfield chose Georgia South is because of its status as a new residency program. Brumfield is one of the three members of the inaugural class of Georgia South residents.

“The program is new, and the fact that I get to be part of the inaugural class that helps shape and form a program that is the beginning of something that will last for a lifetime is pretty cool. We are stewards of the Georgia South legacy.”

When asked what her special passions in medicine were, Brumfield said that she enjoys women’s health and preventative care.

“Of course, I know that if people aren’t sick, we [doctors] don’t have jobs, but the whole point of family medicine is trying to help people maintain being well instead of trying to reverse things that have already been done because of chronic medical conditions,” she said.

Born a premature baby, Brumfield developed a niche for medicine from the start.

“Looking back at pictures and realizing that I only weighed 1 pound 15 ounces and people took care of me was awesome. That, combined with my interest in science and the human body … I never wanted to do anything else,” she said.

Brumfield knew from a young age that she was interested in health care, but it wasn’t until her third year of clinical rotations that she realized her passion for family medicine.

“I initially thought I was going to be a pediatrician. I liked it, but I didn’t love it like I thought I did.” She continued, “I knew that I didn’t want to do certain things and I liked a variety of things. Family medicine was a way to incorporate all of my interests into a cohesive whole.”

Family medicine also affords physicians the opportunity to form relationships with patients.

“My family doctor back home still sees my parents, my grandma, and me. It means a lot when you have a physician who grows with you and gets to see you throughout your lifespan.”

Brumfield has been active outside of the hospital too, appointed to the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians Board of directors in 2017. This appointment allows her to represent fellow residents statewide, and bring attention to rural health issues. She is an exemplary resident, one that hospital officials are proud to have join the Colquitt Regional Medical staff.  The announcement that Brumfield has signed a Letter of Intent to practice at Colquitt Regional after the completion of her residency in the summer of 2019 supports the idea that building the medical education pipeline will bring talented young doctors to our community.

Brumfield, who is recently engaged, intends to live in Moultrie where she hopes to eventually start a family.

“As far as my long-term goals, that’s wherever God leads me,” she said.