May 10, 2022

Meet Dr. Amber Jarrell | "The Tiny Human Doc’’ Who's Conquering Childhood Obesity

What’s a quote that fuels your passion?

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

-Maya Angelou

I strive to live by this statement every day. It served as the opening statement to my medical school application essay. The quote aligns with my goal for every patient encounter. I hope the families I care for feel heard and seen. I believe in treating every patient as if they are family.

Welcome Amber, share with us more information about yourself and your current venture.

“I am Dr. Amber Jarrell, a pediatric resident physician. I like to refer to myself as a “Tiny Human Doc”. My main goal is to ensure my patients – infants, children, and adolescents – grow up to become healthy adults. I care deeply about keeping children happy and healthy. During medical school at Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans, I developed a special interest in combating childhood obesity. Approximately one-third of children and adolescents in the United States are affected by obesity. This is a major health concern as there are several comorbidities associated with obesity. Through research and educating my patients and their families about the importance of a healthy diet and exercising, I strongly believe we can decrease the prevalence of this complex medical issue. Outside of the clinical setting, I value the importance of mentorship. I would not be where I am today without the guidance and wisdom of my professors and other physicians that invested and advocated for me. I hope to pay it forward by encouraging my community to pursue medicine as it can lead to more equitable health outcomes for those who are underserved. ”

Your Humble Takeover is your story. Tell the family where you started and how you got to where you are today. Which chapter in your story inspired you to start current venture?

I was raised in Baton Rouge, LA and received my education in the East Baton Rouge Parish public school system. My childhood dream was to become a pediatrician. I watched my mother conquer breast cancer as a teenager which left me amazed at the field of medicine. The amount of gratitude I have for the doctors who took part in my mother’s care is immeasurable. I was always told the journey to becoming a physician was tedious. I later discovered this journey was filled with many twists, turns, and unexpected detours. I spent countless hours studying in coffee shops and my opportunity to apply to medical school finally arrived as I finished my undergraduate degree at Southern University and A&M College. With the overwhelming amount of medical school applicants for very few spots across the country, the competitiveness associated with applying to medical school was immense. I took the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and applied to medical school more than once. I will never forget the day when I was sitting face to face with a medical school admissions committee member who stated, “You will never get into medical school. You should consider another career.” Little did he know this statement was exactly what I needed to keep the dream alive. I studied that much harder, reapplied, and I finally received my medical school acceptance letter.

What keeps you Humble through your success and failure in Life?

Nothing in life is guaranteed. Life is filled with ups and downs, but it is important to live in the moment and cherish the moment. The phrase, “There is a blessing in every lesson – good or bad” is true. I am grateful for my success, but I am also grateful for the failures because it has prepared me for the journey ahead.

What advice would you offer our family who is writing their own story?

Never accept no as an answer when you are in the process of pursuing your destiny. Never allow negativity to define boundaries for your life or place you in a box. Instead use it as an inspiration to exceed all expectations.

Do you have any upcoming events or projects you would like to share?

My focus is to continue inspiring others through public forums, panel discussions, and even through social media. I am documenting my journey as I start my last year of residency on my Instagram account, @thedimpleddoc. I have heard many people say “I want to become a doctor.” However, they have no clue what that journey entails because they do not know a physician personally. My goal is to showcase the journey of becoming a physician and life outside of chasing the dream.

We’d love to hear more stories, please suggest 5 other persons writing their own story and Conquering the World.

Danielle Brown

Dr. Jemiela Castleberry

Shaquille Dillon

Dr. Katherine Karlay

Dr. Pamela Lewis

Contact Info: