St. Joseph resident Dr. Jeanelle Murphy fell in love with medicine in the oncology wing at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County.
Murphy, then 14, was volunteering.
Her job mainly consisted of playing with the patients, but it also made her realize what she wanted to do with her life.
“I fell in love with that and it gave me purpose,” she said.
Murphy wanted to get to medical school as soon as possible and finished high school at age 16. She then began taking college courses.
She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of California
Riverside and got her medical degree from Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific.
She completed a rotation in family medicine and knew that was the path she wanted to pursue.
“I loved taking care of the whole family. I thought it was the coolest thing
that we could be trained in everything,” she said. “I loved that
part.”
During her medical training, Murphy was living in Southern California and living on the beach. She also met her husband, Michael, online during this
time.
She came to Illinois when they decided to get married as she was
just finishing residency and could relocate easily. Her husband had
a job at the University of Illinois.
Originally, she worked in Danville at her own practice for Christie Clinic while residing in St. Joseph.
Murphy said her first two Christmases in Illinois had snow on the ground.
Something she had never experienced before. She also had never driven in
the winter weather.
“I was driving to Danville in the snow,” she said, “which was terrifying.”
After Murphy had her first child, Hope, she finished her original contract with Christie and then started working at Convenient Care in Danville one day a week.
When Christie opened a Convenient Care in St. Joseph, she asked to work
here.
Since then, the practice in St. Joseph has changed from Convenient
Care to a family practice, which is open three days a week.
“My care of them is the same,” Murphy said. “I can drain abscesses and do
stitches.”
If patients need an X-ray, they do have to go to Urbana.
“I am also a primary doctor, so if a patient comes in as a walk-in
Murphy is also a Doctor of Osteopathic medicine which means she is trained more holistically than traditional medical doctors.
“I am trained to always consider the patient’s mind and spirit in addition to their physical health,” she said. “I am trained in osteopathic manipulative treatment however I am not currently doing that at Christie Clinic but do plan to become skilled in this form of medicine in the future when I have more time.”
Murphy said she loves working where she lives.
“I like that everyone knows each other and people take care of each
other,” she said.
Murphy said her patients will often stop her at the grocery store or
church to say hello or ask medical questions.
“I know my patients, and I like that,” she said.
Murphy said people are often embarrassed or feel they are burdening her
when they ask her medical questions when she isn’t technically at work.
However, she said she really does not mind answering questions.
“I do my best to help people,” she said.
Murphy’s practice, located at 204 N. Main in St. Joseph, is open Monday,
Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Murphy said it is important for her to develop a bond with her patients.
“I get to know them,” she said.
She said she often asks her patients about their families, their jobs and
their interests.
“I think once you get to know a patient and develop that rapport,” she
said, “they will be more likely to get the tests they need to get done,
get the vaccine or do the treatment I prescribe because they trust me.”
The bond is so important to Murphy that she or her nurse call patients directly with results from tests and blood work. Many providers, if the
results come back normal, do not call patients.
“I think it helps them feel more confident and comfortable,” she said.
Murphy said she feels it is important for small towns to have doctors and it is important to her that St. Joseph residents receive the care they
need.
Murphy feels she can also help educate the community on health-related
issues.
Murphy is also trying to educate the community regarding the fact that
there is a doctor’s office in St. Joseph.
“I am busier now,” Murphy said. “I want people to know I am here and they do not have to drive
Murphy has five children: Hope, 8, Kellan, 6, Canaan and Faith, 4, and
Gracen, 18 months. Upon returning from maternity leave with
Murphy made the decision to work at the St. Joseph office three days a
week.
“I still get to be a doctor and a stay-at-home mom,” she said. “Mothering
is definitely my priority. I am their only mom and I am the only one who
can fill that role.”
Murphy said she feels it is important for her children to see her working and doing something she enjoys. She also feels it teaches them that they can pursue a career and have a family.
“It’s not all or nothing,” she said.
Murphy said despite having a strong work-life balance she does occasionally feel guilty when she is at work and wants to be home with the children.
She said paperwork often keeps her at the office after hours,
but having the flexibility Christie Clinic has given her has been a
blessing.
She often picks her children up from school before returning to
the office and can attend their activities on most evenings.
“Christie has been really helpful,” she said. “It has been a real blessing.”
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