Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 02:34 PM

Leaving a Legacy in Rural Medicine

Jacob Megehee, 4th year medical resident, embarked on a job shadowing experience in the Emergency Department of Marshall Medical North. However, what made this experience even more special was that Jacob was not just any aspiring medical student. He is the son of Dr. Paul Megehee, a valued Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) with Medical Centers OB-GYN.

Dr. Paul Megehee, a Macon, Mississippi native, is proud to work in rural medicine. He has been in practice for more than 25 years. Medical Centers OB-GYN is proud to care for women in all aspects of life from teenagers to grandmothers. Dr. Megehee is in the same office with Dr. Lance Justice and Nurse Practitioner Julie Walderp.

Jacob has a passion to make a difference in people’s lives that has been nurtured by witnessing his father’s commitment to patient care and well-being throughout his childhood.

"I love the idea of taking care of families and being involved in their lives,” Jacob Megehee said. “I also love to be that person who is always in their corner,"

Dr. Paul Megehee, beaming with pride, shared his thoughts on his son's decision to follow in his footsteps.

"I'm humbled,” Dr. Paul Meghee said. “I'm very proud. He's worked really hard, and he's been able to see medicine his whole life. I think it’s also special he wants to practice medicine in a rural environment.”

Job shadowing programs like the one in which Jacob participated play a vital role in shaping the future of medicine. Not only do they offer invaluable experiences to students, but they also benefit the community hospital as well.

Dr. Clark Alves, Marshall Medical North Emergency Medicine Physician, emphasized the importance of such programs.

"I love seeing our local guys come back to see what their future holds and the environment they will be working in. I think these internships also help when you are trying to find out what field you want to be in. It gets you exposed to so many different fields of medicine,” Dr. Alves said.

Programs like this, offered by Marshall Medical Centers, allow students to gain insights into the various aspects of healthcare, helping them make informed decisions about their future careers. For Jacob, it became apparent that the rural setting resonated with his values of compassionate care and community engagement.

During his time with Dr. Alves, Jacob not only gained hands on experience, but also forged connections with the local community. As he interacted with patients and their families, he felt a sense of belonging and purpose. Witnessing firsthand the positive impact his father has on the lives of expectant mothers and families further solidified his aspiration to become a physician in the rural medicine setting.

As Jacob Megehee's job shadowing experience came to a close, he left Marshall Medical Centers with a clearer vision of his path ahead. With his father's footsteps as a guide and inspiration, he felt a deeper commitment to medicine and serving the community. Jacob’s next step will be starting Family Practice residency next year with UAB Family Medicine at Huntsville Hospital.