Dr. Brent Ferguson is a Mississippi native and Medicine-Pediatrics PGY-2 resident. Here, he shares about what led him to stay at UMMC for residency training and some of what he’s learned along the way.
First,tell us about you.
I am a Jackson native, so I am back in my hometown doing what I love! I am happily married to my best friend, Avenell, who also grew up in Jackson. We both are Jackson Academy and Ole Miss graduates, and we love going to Oxford whenever we get time to go! We have an extremely energetic fur baby named Poppy, who keeps us on our toes.
Why did you choose UMMC for residency?
When I was looking at programs, I kept finding myself wandering back to the program here at UMMC. I frequently hear residents say that “the people” helped them make their decision. While that may be true, for me, it was a bit different. “The people” at UMMC encompasses so much more than just the people you work with, because it also defines our patients. UMMC has some of the absolute best leaders in the Medicine Department, and many of my closest friends are co-residents of mine. However, the patients at UMMC are a huge factor on why I wanted to stay. Our patients are incredibly special, they have a vast array of illnesses and disease and getting to take care of them makes my job so much easier. UMMC has incredible people everywhere, from the program leadership to the patients themselves that make a fantastic atmosphere to work and learn every day.
Tell us about a memorable experience from training.
In a field like medicine, there are so many experiences that you will never forget. Some of my favorite memories are from the time spent in the team rooms in the ICU and on House Medicine, as it’s the best time to really get to know and become friends with everyone around you. One memorable experience with a patient that sticks out is when I was on my ICU month as an intern. We had a patient who was not doing well, and it was the first time I had the opportunity to talk to a family about their loved one. In the end, the family and I became close, and I will never forget their gratitude for how we treated them and their loved one. This experience was the first that made me realize just how important we are as communicators in times of hardship. It also taught me how critical it is to rely on your team around you. I had never had to talk to a family about life and death situations, but my upper level stayed with me every step of the way, and I know I was a better communicator and physician because of her help. I will always look back on this experience and know that I grew tremendously during this time.
What is one thing you would tell the incoming interns about what is to come?
Be ready to make mistakes and understand that mistakes are only going to make you a better physician. I feel like during intern year, I was always trying not to mess up, which kept me from thinking deeper about my patients and what they needed. Your upper levels and attendings are there to help you and make sure that if a mistake does happen, it is a learning experience rather than a negative experience.
What could you give a presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Let’s go with heart failure and guideline directed medical therapy. Just not hyponatremia, for that I am going to need some major preparation.
What are some small things that make your day better?
At the start of the day, a good cup of coffee always makes me happy. During work, I love when co-residents and chiefs pop by to check in, especially on a tough inpatient month. After work, there is nothing better than getting to sit down to eat with my wife. Just sitting down to eat a meal may seem small, but it makes my day.
Where could we find you when you are not at the hospital?
If I am not at the hospital, I am frequently found at home with my wife. We love doing outdoor projects together as our yard needs all the help it can get. If I am not at home, you can find me pretending to be decent at golf, playing pickleball with friends, or enjoying a multitude of restaurants in the Jackson area.
What profession would you have chosen if you weren’t a physician?
If this is a dream scenario, where my talents or lack thereof are not taken into account, I would love to find myself in sports broadcasting, specifically radio. In actuality, I probably would have pursued teaching and school administration. I have always loved being around a school environment and being an influence for students as they grow, not only in their learning but also in their lives in general. I had such great influences from my own personal experiences from specific administrators and professors in high school and college, and I always thought that this would be something I would enjoy doing as well.
Progress Notes 