Jessica Nguyen, MD
Hospital/Affiliation:: Carilion Clinic
1. What do you love most about emergency medicine and why did you choose it?: I love the mystery of the unknown; never knowing what could come through the doors. Keeps me on my toes. I never have the same day twice, and I learn something new every day.
2. What do you hope for the future of emergency medicine?: Better access for underserved populations.
3. What are some causes you care about?: Health disparities, opioid crisis, cost of health care.
4. Where do you see the profession of emergency medicine going in the next 10 years?: We are continually expanding our services to the community. I see us leading the way in a health care overhaul. After all, we are the ones who see all ways our health care system is failing our population. I think in the next 10 years, emergency medicine will implement new ways to serve everyone equally and for less cost.
5. How has emergency medicine changed since you started your career?: The biggest and most positive change that I have seen is how we handle opiates and their abuse. When I started, opiates were handed out like candy. Pain was the 5th vital sign. Everyone has the right to 0/10 pain. Now we are much more judicial realizing the negative effects this has had in contributing to addiction. We also now have the ability to prescribe suboxone and start people in medication assisted therapy. We now have another option for people rather than just send them out with a firm talking to.
6. What do you do in your free time outside of the ED?: I love to hike and rock climb. I have 2 teenage kids that keep me young.
7. What motivates you?: Knowing that I am working to make this world a better place for my kids and their families to come.
8. What has surprised you the most about emergency medicine?: How many people to not have access to basic primary care.
9. Why did you join our organization?: I see the positive effects that this group has made locally and I want to help.
10. Describe your personal philosophy on emergency medicine.: I strive to provide care that I would want for my own family all of the time.
11. What was your first impression of ACEP/VACEP?: A fun group of doctors who work hard.
12. Are you involved in any volunteer organizations (outside of ACEP/VACEP)? Tell us where and how do you give back.: I currently support Doctors Without Borders and plan to make a trip with them now that I am out of residency.
13. How would you like to see ACEP/VACEP improve?: I would love to see VACEP highlight different ER systems within the Commonwealth and share good things that they have going on, or innovative ways that they have found to address common issues.
14. What would you say to someone thinking about getting involved with VACEP?: Do it! You will not regret it. You will meet some fabulous people and you will find ways to actually make a change to emergency medicine on a larger level then just your local shop.
15. What would be the title of your autobiography? Why?: The Girl Who Went Around Her Elbow to Get to Her Nose.
Before finishing college, I had my two kids, then decided to jump ship from a teaching degree to a nursing degree. With a toddler and infant in toe I finished nursing school while working in the ED. During my time working with the doctors as an ED scribe, I decided nursing was not going to be the end of my path and I then decided to complete a biochemistry degree and apply to med school. At this point, I had 2 elementary age kids and was working full time as an ED nurse. I applied and was accepted to VTCSOM. I moved my young family across the state from Richmond to Roanoke, and 7 years later I am starting my first attending job in the hospital I trained at. It was a very long road with lots of unexpected turns, but here we are!
