Jessica Yocum, MD

Jessica Yocum-Photo by Gray Skies Photography

Jessica Yocum is currently in her second year of Pediatric Residency at the University of Oklahoma Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. Jessica grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma and graduated from Edmond Santa Fe High School. She then attended the University of Central Oklahoma on an academic scholarship where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. After graduation, she embarked on a journey to become a doctor at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.

As far back as she can remember Jessica wanted to be a doctor. Her experiences in helping care for her father, a disabled veteran who lost his voice and utilizes an electronic larynx, as well as her personal experiences as a patient, inspired her dream to become a physician. Initially she was most intrigued by the eyes, so she sought out a job at Omni Eye Center Laser Vision where she worked throughout high school and college. It was during her encounters at the optometrists’ office and shadowing experiences that she decided on medical school to pursue ophthalmology. However, once in medical school she found herself gravitating towards primary care. She was especially interested in the opportunities presented by preventive medicine in pediatrics and the unique relationships that are formed between a family and its pediatrician. During her pediatric clerkship she realized that a career in pediatrics was the best fit. Pediatricians Patrice Aston, Mickey Crittenden and Tammy Maschino have been invaluable resources and mentors along the way offering advice and encouragement to Jessica.

During her fourth year of medical school, Jessica started learning Spanish and went on a medical mission to Guatemala where she had the humbling experience of providing care for many women and children in villages along the Rio Dulce River. She has been able to continue furthering her Spanish by having her continuity clinic at the Latino Clinic associated with Oklahoma Children’s Hospital. She is so thankful for the patients, their families and the staff at Latino Clinic for being supportive of her endeavor to learn Spanish in order to serve a growing population in OKC.

Jessica and her husband, Sonny, are excited to embark on their newest adventure, parenthood. Their son, Wyatt, was born in June. One of the most valuable lessons that Jessica learned during her maternity leave is just how much there is to learn as a new parent that even her experiences and knowledge as a pediatric resident could not have prepared her for. She has been learning what it means to execute the recommendations we give as pediatricians and now will have a greater understanding and increased empathy during those initial well-child checks.