Jessilyn Humble
Born in Girard, Jessilyn’s family moved to Topeka just two weeks later where she spent the next seven years. Coming back as a second grader, she spent the rest of her childhood growing up outside of Girard. The third of four children, Jessilyn grew up surrounded by family, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and more than 19 first cousins and has found her calling as a pediatrician.
“My parents are Ken and Mishelle Kmiec. My mom had 4 children within 5 years, so my siblings and I grew up close together and were in high school and activities together at Girard. We still have family reunions every year and I get to see several of my cousins' kids grow up with my children now. Family has always been important to me and is a large draw for what brought me back to Southeast Kansas. I still have 2 of my grandpas who live in Crawford County as well.
“Pittsburg was always an important part of my life growing up as I participated in dance class with Jody Philips Dance company in Pittsburg 2 days a week. I took dance my whole childhood and then was an assistant teacher for the dance company when I was in high school. During college, I taught classes myself (no longer an assistant) for the younger aged children.
“My husband, Nick Humble, and I have been married for 21 years. We were high school sweethearts and dated my junior and senior year of high school. Nick graduated from St. Mary's Colgan while I attended Girard schools, but we met working at a grocery store in Arma. Nick works for Crossland Construction company and is a preconstruction manager. We have 3 children of our own. Corey, Caleb and Camden. Corey is 21 years old and is a senior at Pittsburg State University majoring in Biology and Communications. He is planning to attend graduate school after college graduation. He is the current Student Government Association President for PSU. Caleb is 18 years old and is a senior at Girard High School. He is captain of the Girard Varsity football team and active in several clubs and activities including the select choir, the Reflections. Camden is my youngest and is currently 11 years old. He is in 5th grade. He is active with sports including travel teams for basketball and baseball this past year and loves golfing. All 3 of my kids have been active participants in Crawford County 4-H.
“I attended Girard schools and graduated from Girard High School. Linda Knoll was my high school gifted education teacher and had a big impact on helping me choice my career choices. Amy Gray was also one of my favorite teachers and was my cheerleading sponsor.
“I attended Pittsburg State University as a member of the Honor's College for my undergraduate education and was blessed to be selected as a Presidential Scholarship recipient. I was fortunate to be named a Golden Gorilla and a Top 10 finalist for Outstanding Senior Female during my time at PSU. I majored in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Physical Science and an emphasis in Pre-medicine. I graduated Cum Laude with Academic Honors. One of my notable professors during my time at Pittsburg State included Dr. Virginia Ryder. She was my advisor and I also participated in researching Lupus in her lab with her. Dr. Becky Brannock was my sponsor for the Honor's College and also a great influence and mentor for me. Other teachers that had a lasting impact include Dr. Nancy Brooker, Dr. Irene Zegar, Dr. Peter Chung and Dr. Dan Zurek.
“I participated in the Scholars In Rural Health Program through the University of Kansas my last 2 years of college. This is a competitive program that I was selected for after my sophomore year at PSU. It is assured admission program that required shadowing with a local physician mentor (mine was with Dr. Ron Seglie) in addition to research and case studies each semester my last 2 years at PSU. By successfully completing this program, I was then admitted to the University of Kansas School of Medicine following college. The perk of the Scholars in Rural Health program is knowing that I was going to be admitted to KU 2 years before graduation so it helped take some of the stress away from applying to medical school my senior year.
“I attended the University of Kansas School of Medicine in Kansas City for 4 years for medical school education and graduated with a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. While in medical school, I received a student recognition after being voted as “The Person who Best Exemplifies the Attributes You Want in a Physician” for my class. I also received the Dr. Louise DeSchweinitz Award, which is a recognition given for the most outstanding student performance per graduating class on the clinical rotation in Pediatrics at University of Kansas School of Medicine.
“Following medical school, I was a resident physician for 3 years at Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City. This is where I received my pediatric training. Notable mentor while there was Dr. Denise Bratcher who was my program director. While at Children's Mercy, I was given the Extraordinary Every Time Award, which is a recognition from the nursing staff for excellent patient care and nurse communication.
“The 7 years I was at KU and Children's Mercy are the only times I have lived outside of Southeast Kansas in my adult life.
“I started telling my parents that I was going to be a pediatrician when I was in grade school. I remember taking a career interest survey in middle school and pediatrician was one of the career paths that interested me based on my results. I never wavered from that goal and was determined to become a pediatrician. I also knew I enjoyed working with children after being a dance teacher when I was younger.
“Being a physician has always been rewarding because I get to be involved with children starting at birth and throughout their childhood. I get to see the child grow up but I also get to work with the parents and get to know the whole family. I have several families who have told me that I'm like a part of their family. By doing rural pediatrics, I often get to see my patients in the community as well. My own children's think I know everyone because of this. I enjoy working with newborns in the hospital and helping them transition into life but I also enjoy seeing older children in the clinic. Kids say the funniest things sometimes and they can make even a dark day brighter. I am also blessed to work with amazing nurses and staff at my clinic and at the hospital. My clinic nurse, Vicki King, is amazing and has been with me the whole 10 years that I have been practicing in Pittsburg.
“During a typical day, I usually start by seeing newborns or older patients that are admitted to the hospital. I then spend the day at my clinic and typically seen a variety of different disease and also do well visits and vaccines for healthy children. After clinic, I will go back to the hospital to see any newly admitted patients or perform procedures that need to be complete. I am on call every other week during the week and one weekend a month. While on call, I take admissions from the ER for children, attend deliveries for newborns that are high risk and answer questions from community urgent care providers.
“I truly enjoy working with children and being a pediatrician. I wouldn't change my path to becoming a physician. The governmental involvement in pediatrics lately has been challenging.
“My career goal is to continue working to promote childhood health in southeast Kansas. My goal was always to be a pediatrician that a child could have longevity with for their whole childhood. I have enjoyed being in Pittsburg for 10 years and getting to see a decade in the life of my patients. I also work with the Crawford County Health Department and the Teen Pregnancy WRAP program. I like to give education to nurses at the hospital and have had several "Huddle with Humble' educational sessions. I have previously served as a board member for the Children's Advocacy Center in Pittsburg.
“My family is an important part of my life. You can often find us on the sidelines of a Girard Football game or at a Pittsburg State University event. One of my biggest goals beyond my career right now is enjoying more work-life balance and spending time with my family. I am a volunteer sponsor for Trinity Lutheran High School Youth group in Girard. I got to sponsor and take 19 high schoolers to a National Youth Gathering in New Orleans this summer. I also help with Sunday School and midweek youth group activities on Wednesday nights. Additionally, I am involved with my kids' 4-H club. I have served as a Bone Creek 4-H club project leader for photography the last several years and help with the photography project at the fair as well. I try to make a difference, not just with medicine but also with my community involvement and helping promote health for children.
“Recently, my husband and I started a vacation rental business as well and have been enjoying spending family time at the lake.
“Most people who know me would probably say that I have always been driven and determined to get to where I am today. There were lots of great moments to get to now. I remember vividly the day I got the phone call from Pittsburg State University that I had been chosen as a Presidential Scholarship winner. This meant I was going to college on a full ride and wouldn't have to worry about paying for college. My husband and I had children young and graduating from college with 2 sons was an important day and helped show that I was determined to success even while being a mother. I remember so many days in the dance studio growing up that taught me dedication and grace. Participating in 4-H growing up, I learned public speaking and the importance of community service and education. I remember my mom taking me shopping for a suit when I was in college to interview for the Scholars in Rural Health program and how excited I was when I was admitted to the University of Kansas. I have so many patient experiences that have pushed me to be a better physician. My time at Children's Mercy working with some of the sickest patients in the ICU and on the oncology floor (cancer) was challenging but helped prepare me for managing sick patients locally. I don't think I could pick one singular defining moment, just a series of several milestones that taught me and helped shape me into the pediatrician, mom and community member that I am today.
“I felt honored and blessed to be nominated as a Woman of Distinction. I have seen the previous winners announced and several are community members that I admire. One of my goals in my practice of medicine is that my patients and their parents feel valued and can trust my advice. In doing such, I hope that I am an example for young women in our community. Mentoring youth through church and 4-H is another way that I hope to be an example for younger girls.
“My advice for the next generation — If you have a passion, pursue it with determination and resilience. Stay focused on your goals, and don’t hesitate to seek support from those around you—mentorship and collaboration can be powerful tools on your journey. Once you’ve achieved your goals, remember to give back. Be a source of guidance and encouragement for those who are just beginning their path, and help uplift the next generation as others once did for you.”
