“Arguably, the most meaningful role I hold is that of a mother.”

Jessie Nelson first became interested in medicine after a torn ACL shattered her dreams of becoming a soccer star. Jessie was enormously grateful that her physicians helped her heal not only her body but also her identity after the injury, so she dedicated her life to helping others in the same way. Jessie earned a bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Michigan. As an undergraduate, Jessie served as captain of the women’s club soccer team, participated in medical mission trips to Nicaragua and Ecuador, and volunteered for Hospice and the Hope Clinic. 

Jessie is currently pursuing a combined Medical Doctorate and Master’s of Science in Clinical Research from U-M, and she intends to specialize in dermatology. As a graduate student, Jessie has been heavily involved in research, including obstetrics and gynecology research in adolescents which earned multiple awards, presentations, and a first authorship publication. She has also been conducting additional research in dermatology including the study of dermatological conditions affecting people of color. Additionally, she volunteers for the Hope Clinic, the Student Run Free Clinic, Wolverine Street Medicine, Packard Health/Delonis Shelter, Corner Health Center, Cap & Conquer, and SPOTS. After medical school, Jessie intends to become a dermatologist with a focus on women, children, skin of color, and underserved and uninsured populations.

“Arguably,” Jessie writes, “the most meaningful role I hold is that of a mother.” Motherhood has taught Jessie compassion, empathy, and patience — invaluable skills for a physician. However, she notes that motherhood is still stigmatized in the medical profession. In order to dispel such beliefs, Jessie became president of the American Medical Women’s Association and co-founded Parents in Medical School, the medical school’s first organization dedicated to supporting medical students with children. 

CEW+ applauds Jessie’s tenacity and names her the Caroline M. Lee Scholar.