Jessica Walker, MD

Growing up and Early Career

My hometown of St. Clairsville is a small, rural town in the Appalachian Mountains of eastern Ohio. When I was a child, my mom had me take sewing classes. Once I had the basics down, my grandmother taught me crochet, and pretty soon I taught myself how to quilt…and got pretty good at it! It was always expected that, as the daughter of an attorney, I would follow in my dad’s footsteps and pursue a career in law. I liked science, and wanted to look into what was available. After my freshman year in college, I spent time with my hometown general surgeon, and knew I had found my calling! I found a profession where I could use my hands, my mind, and my creativity to help people.

How did I end up in Knoxville?

I met my now husband Dr Josh Walker, a local dentist, while I was completing my Plastic Surgery fellowship in Louisville. I knew from the second date I'd marry him. He was born and raised in Kingston, TN and when he brought me here for the first time I absolutely fell in love with East Tennessee and when deciding where we would end up it was a no brainer. We like to live rural, but enjoy the ease to be in the city within 30 minutes. And Crockett, our German Shepherd, loves the ability to be outside year round.

I chose a career in surgery planning to be a heart surgeon. During my 5-year general residency in Detroit, I had the chance to work with the plastic surgeons in our hospital. After that month with them, my career plans totally changed. I loved everything that went into plastic surgery - the planning, the delicate operations…all of it. And - best of all - when you finished, both you and your patient could look and see how things had changed!

The main population I work with here in Knoxville are moms. Going through fertility treatments, I have learned the changes your body goes through and how difficult it can be on your body to become a mom. Being able to help other moms make changes to improve their self-confidence, their strength and rebuild what was changed during pregnancy and childbirth is the most rewarding aspect of everything that I do.

Being a female surgeon for (mainly) female patients has made my dedication to my career even stronger. Less than 20% of Plastic Surgeons are female, and I think this is truly a benefit to me as I understand a lot of what my patients have gone through, what their concerns are and what their goals are.

I love building relationships with my patients and finding things we have in common to bond over. Yes I'm a surgeon, but I'm also a fun, relatable, "normal" person who is getting on through life like everyone else. I'd love to meet you, be able to help you if I'm the right choice for you, and bond hopefully over German Shepherds, Pittsburgh sports, college football and crafting, and having fun on social media!

• College: The University of Akron (Go Zips!)
• Medical School: Wayne State University School of Medicine
• General Surgery Residency: St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, MI
• Plastic Surgery Fellowship: The University of Louisville
• Hand and Microsurgery Fellowship: The University of Kentucky

Board Certifications

• American Board of Plastic Surgery
• American Board of Surgery

Professional Societies

• American Society of Plastic Surgeons
• The Aesthetics Society
• The Southeastern Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons
• The Association of Women Surgeons
• Women in Plastic Surgery
• American College of Surgeons