Photo by Derek Blanks Photography
Fulfilling a Dream
Born in Port Gibson, Walters is the daughter of two teachers who constantly emphasized the importance of a good education. “They were really big on making good grades, and it was never an option not to,” Walters says. “My parents are definitely a huge influence in my life.” Walters knew she wanted to be a physician from an early age. After graduating from Jefferson County High School in 1981, she began her education at Alcorn State University. However, uncertainty over being able to achieve her childhood dream was constant throughout her undergraduate years. “I was nervous going to Alcorn,” Walters says. “We didn’t see a lot of physicians where I grew up in that small town, so I just didn’t know it was obtainable.” She soon found herself on the nearby campus of the University of Mississippi Medical Center initially pursuing a degree in medical technology. While there, Walters quickly gained confidence among her peers to pursue a medical degree. “Once I got there and saw other people at UMMC, I then said, ‘I can do this,’” she says. Not wanting to burden her parents with the high cost of attending medical school, Walters took a brief break from her education to work for a couple of years and save money. After receiving her medical degree in 1993, she relocated to Macon, Ga., to complete her residency in obstetrics and gynecology with Mercer University and soon found herself opening a practice in Atlanta with her former chief resident, Dr. Katia Castillo, in 1998.
Life-changing Diagnosis
According to Walters, from that point, life has happened. She married her husband, Curtis Berry, in 2002, and the couple soon decided to have a baby. However, an initial breast cancer diagnosis in 2004 followed by a second in 2008 put those plans on hold permanently. “The first time I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, I was pregnant,” Walters says. “I ended up miscarrying at some point during the time I received my diagnosis.” Walters learned the news of her diagnosis after calling the lab for her pathology report. “When [the pathologist] read that I had infiltrating lobular carcinoma, I’m thinking, ‘Wait a minute — that’s cancer,’” Walters says. “I said, ‘No, you must be reading something wrong. I’m calling for my own pathology report.’” Walters quickly learned the report was indeed hers and, after consulting with physicians, made the decision to have a lumpectomy. After receiving a phone call confirming that the surgery had removed all of the cancer, Walters couldn’t wait to go out and celebrate the good news with her family. However, a second somber phone call altered those plans. “I promise you, two hours later, I got a phone call back saying, ‘Oh my goodness, the margins aren’t clear — you have to have this surgery again.’” After a year of treatment, which included chemotherapy and radiation, Walters and her husband again made plans to have a Jacqueline M. Walters, M.D., OB/GYN, and husband, Curtis Berry 36 Alumni Review