Match Day Q&A: Ashley Hurd-Jackson
Hometown: Cleghorn, Iowa
Matching in: Obstetrics and gynecology
What made you decide you wanted to be a doctor?
My passion for medicine was sparked by my experiences growing up on a farm in rural northwest Iowa. The farm was where I got the opportunity to help my dad deliver baby pigs and is ultimately where my interest in obstetrics originally started.
We have raised show pigs all my life, but we also have cattle, crops, and other livestock, as well. Growing up in that environment taught me dedication, work ethic, sacrifice, and compassion. I hope to carry these experiences with me into obstetrics and gynecology.
Growing up, I did consider pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. As I grew older, I found myself desiring a closer relationship with my patients—one that allowed me to get to know them on a personal level, their family, and their goals of care. That ultimately led me to pursue human medicine, as I knew that I could combine my love for medicine and get the relationships that I was so wanting.
What got you thinking about rural medicine, in particular?
I had a great connection with a female nurse practitioner growing up. I really loved that not only did she know me and everything I was involved in, but she also knew my siblings, my parents, and my grandparents. This always made me feel more comfortable and excited to see her at my appointments.
At my local clinic, I had no other female physicians that I was able to see. Knowing that the hospital was constantly trying to recruit physicians made me think more about these issues. Growing up in a small town and tight-knit community, I believe everyone deserves access to health care, and realizing that they may have experienced issues getting care was something that I wanted to make sure that I addressed.
What stood out to me about the University of Iowa for medical school was the rural program. It aligned with my interests and integrated rural medicine throughout all four years of the curriculum. Participating in CRISP [Carver Rural Iowa Scholars Program] allowed me to have the opportunity to connect with rural providers in different areas of the state and allowed me to see the different barriers patients in these areas experience.
Growing up in a small town and tight-knit community, I believe everyone deserves access to health care, and realizing that they may have experienced issues getting care was something that I wanted to make sure that I addressed.
What drew you to obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN) as a specialty?
Although my initial interest started on the farm, there were other things that ultimately led me to pursue OBGYN. Iowa currently ranks last in all 50 states for the number of OBGYNs per capita. Also, about a third of Iowa's counties are considered maternity care deserts. That made me think about how some patients in our state don't have adequate access to health care. Even here, many of our patients are from outside of Johnson County and are traveling 30 minutes to an hour or more to get the care that they need and deserve.
Knowing those statistics and seeing the need firsthand growing up in a rural area, CRISP brought all of those interests together. Throughout that program, I was able to connect with a rural OBGYN in eastern Iowa. This was an important opportunity for me, as we didn't have a rural OBGYN where I grew up, so I wanted to gain a better understanding of what that career may look like. I was able to take a four-week elective and got to work closely with her and even got to travel with her to other small areas. That really made me feel like I can take my interest and career aspirations that I've had since I was little and turn them into an actual reality.
Tell me about your capstone project.
I noticed, even in my small community, that there were multiple women diagnosed with preeclampsia who were not aware of the signs and symptoms associated with the disease. This made me concerned that there could be an education gap and made me wonder if this was true for other rural communities in the state, as well.
I brought these concerns to Donna and Mark Santillan [PhD and MD, PhD, respectively], with a goal to increase patient education and awareness of preeclampsia. With the help of EndPreeclampsia, we designed a magnet that contained all the signs and symptoms to look out for throughout pregnancy. We were able to work with two hospitals in northwest Iowa to provide patients with the magnets as well as pre- and post-surveys to monitor the effectiveness.
We found that over 70% of those who did receive a magnet thought that it was helpful. The goal of this project was to increase awareness and patient education regarding preeclampsia in small communities, so knowing that even one person thought it was helpful made it all worth it.
I hope to continue to do a similar project in residency, potentially by working with other hospitals and even patients in urban areas. I believe that patient education in all areas of the state is worthwhile.
What kind of physician do you hope to be after residency is done?
After residency, I see myself in a rural community in Iowa similar to the one that I grew up in. Developing rapport where I genuinely get to know my patients on a personal level is something that I really strive for as a future physician.
I also see myself as a general obstetrician and gynecologist. What I really love about the field is that I found myself never getting bored. I love the surgical aspect of it, the gyn procedures, and getting the opportunity to deliver babies. I truly can't see myself giving up any aspect of it, which is another reason why I feel rural medicine is the best fit for me.
What excites you most about residency?
I'm looking forward to learning new skills and absorbing as much information as possible, especially as someone who aspires to be in a small community someday where I may not have access to all the resources and subspecialties like I do here. I am also excited to build relationships with my co-residents, staff, and patients throughout the next four years. Regardless of where I end up for residency, I know that my staff and co-residents will push me to become the best surgeon, clinician, and obstetrician for my future patients.
How are you feeling about Match Day?
I’m so excited for Match! My whole family will be there, and it will be so special to share that moment with them. I'm most excited to see where everyone else in my class ends up—we have all worked so hard for this moment!