Five Questions with Dr. Jessica Harroche

Jessica Harroche, MD, is an assistant professor in the Emory Gynencology and Obstetrics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery (FPMRS) division. She sees patients at the Emory Women’s Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown.

Dr. Harroche completed her residency at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine, where she also completed her FPMRS fellowship.

She has won awards that include, Chief Resident Award in Obstetrics; Award for Excellence in FPMRS; and the Samuel G. Oberlander Award for Leadership in Education.

5 Questions with Dr. Jessica Harroche

1. Why did you want to become a doctor?

I come from a non-physician family of immigrants and I am a first generation North American native. On the shoulders of very hard working parents and grandparents, who moved to North America to provide a safer environment for their family, I was given the opportunity to dream. From a very young age I aspired to become a physician, a vision that continued to solidify itself throughout my education. Becoming a physician meant combining my thirst for knowledge and calling to provide comfort and care to others.

2. Why FPMRS?

Specializing in ObGyn and Women's Health was a natural choice for me during my medical education. I was drawn to learning and developing skills that provided me the opportunity to support and help women as they progressed through some of the happiest and most difficult times of their lives. As I progressed through my ObGyn residency I quickly realized my passion for advanced surgery and improving patients' quality of life and this propelled me towards the field of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. 

3. What do you enjoy most about working with patients?

Specifically, I was drawn to the FPMRS patient population because often times they are women who take care of everyone else in their lives and never have the opportunity to address their own needs and concerns. Being an FPMRS specialist allows me to give women the time and expertise that they deserve with the ultimate goal of improving their quality of life.

4. What are some of the special skills, experience or training that you bring to your work?

I believe that the best approach to medicine is a holistic approach that centers itself around the patient's individual goals of care. I spend time with my patients to truly understand their clinical concerns. When and if they desire surgery for their pelvic floor symptoms, having a broad surgical skill set (with training in vaginal, laparoscopic and robotic approaches), allows me to tailor treatments to my patients' individual needs and conditions.

5. What are your hobbies outside of work?

When I am not working, I am delighted to be spending time with my wonderful growing family. Together we enjoy travelling, spending time outdoors and the occasional concert or Broadway musical.

Learn more about Dr. Harroche’s background by visiting her online bio. You can also find her on Twitter, @jessurogyno. To make an appointment with Dr. Harroche, please call 404-778-3401.